The 2026 Arizona Down Payment Assistance Guide
A plain-English breakdown of every major Arizona down payment assistance program, how much you can get, what it costs, and who qualifies. Read it here, or get the printable version emailed to you.
What is down payment assistance in Arizona?
Down payment assistance (DPA) is money, usually a forgivable or deferred second loan, sometimes a grant, that covers part or all of your down payment and closing costs. Most Arizona DPA is not paid back monthly; you repay only if you sell or refinance early (and often not even then). You do not have to be a first-time buyer for most programs.
Statewide: Home Plus
The Arizona Industrial Development Authority's Home Plus program offers up to 4% of the loan amount toward your down payment and closing costs, statewide. Minimum credit score is 620; the borrower income cap is $155,386 (as of April 2026). It pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans.
Metro Phoenix (Maricopa): Home in Five Advantage
In Maricopa County, Home in Five reaches up to 6% (the 0.5% BOOST ended October 2024). Minimum credit score 640; household income cap $157,360 (as of June 2026).
Tucson (Pima): Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution
Pima County buyers have the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution, offering down payment and closing-cost assistance with its own income limits and eligible areas.
National programs that also work in Arizona
- FHA loan: 3.5% down, flexible credit (as low as 580 on its own).
- Fannie Mae HomeReady / Freddie Mac Home Possible: as little as 3% down for lower-income buyers.
- Chenoa Fund: national down payment assistance that layers onto an FHA loan.
- USDA loan: 0% down in eligible rural areas (parts of Pinal, Coconino, and rural Arizona).
Do you qualify?
Eligibility comes down to credit, income limits, and the property/price, and every program is a little different. The fastest way to see your exact match is the 2-minute matcher below. No credit check, no obligation.
Figures verified 2026; income caps and program terms change, confirm current amounts with a specialist. Sources: Arizona IDA (azihda.gov), HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac. This is not a commitment to lend.
Common questions
Do you have to pay back down payment assistance in Arizona?
Usually no, with the two main Arizona programs. Home Plus and Home in Five both fund a forgivable or deferred soft second with no monthly payment, you repay only if you sell or refinance early. Some Arizona options are structured as repayable seconds you pay monthly, and Flagstaff CHAP and the Verde Valley programs have their own terms. Full breakdown of forgivable vs. repayable →
Is Arizona down payment assistance a grant or a loan?
Neither, exactly. Home Plus and Home in Five structure assistance as a second mortgage lien with no interest and no monthly payment. It's forgiven in full if you stay in the home the required period (5 years on Home Plus); if you sell or refinance sooner, you repay the assistance from your proceeds.
How much down payment assistance can I get?
You can get up to 4% of the loan amount with Home Plus statewide or up to 6% with Home in Five in Maricopa County. A few local programs go higher in fixed dollars. Flagstaff CHAP reaches $50,000. The right amount depends on your county, income, and loan type.
What credit score do I need for Arizona down payment assistance?
There is no single Arizona DPA credit score, it depends on the program. Home Plus requires a 620 credit score and Home in Five requires 640. FHA on its own allows scores down to 580. The national programs (Chenoa, Arrive, Essex) accept lower scores, typically from 600.
What are the income limits for Arizona DPA?
Home Plus caps borrower income at $155,386. Home in Five caps household income at $157,360 as of June 10, 2026. National programs (Chenoa, Arrive, Essex) usually have no income limit. See all current Arizona DPA figures →
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?
No, not for many Arizona programs. Home Plus and Home in Five both allow repeat buyers. "First-time homebuyer" under HUD's definition just means you haven't owned a primary residence in the last 3 years, so plenty of past owners still qualify. Flagstaff CHAP and a few tiers do require first-time status, so the answer depends on the specific program.
Home Plus vs. Home in Five: which is better?
Home Plus works statewide and gives up to 4%; Home in Five works only in Maricopa County and gives up to 6%. If your home is in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, or anywhere in Maricopa, Home in Five usually wins on assistance amount. Outside Maricopa, Home Plus is the statewide answer. Home Plus sets a 620 floor and Home in Five a 640 floor, and both allow repeat buyers.
Can I combine two down payment assistance programs?
No. Arizona DPA programs do not stack with each other, you use one program per purchase. What does layer is the DPA with your first mortgage: a single program like Home Plus or Home in Five sits alongside your FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loan. Trying to combine two assistance programs is not allowed under program guidelines.
Does DPA work with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans?
Yes, all four. Arizona DPA pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional first mortgages. FHA is the most common stack because its 3.5% down is small enough for DPA to cover. VA already requires zero down, so DPA there helps with closing costs. See loan-type pairing guides →
Is DPA always the right move?
No. DPA programs typically carry a slightly higher first-mortgage rate to fund the assistance. If you have most of your down payment saved already, a lower-rate conventional or FHA loan without DPA may save you more over the life of the loan. We'll tell you when down payment assistance isn't the best call. When NOT to use DPA →
Do I need a homebuyer education course?
Yes for most DPA programs. The course runs about 4 to 8 hours, is usually online, and is often free or runs $50 to $100. We'll point you at the specific HUD-approved course that satisfies your chosen program, so you finish it once and it counts.
How much down payment assistance can I get in Arizona?
Up to 4% of the loan amount statewide through Home Plus, or up to 6% in Maricopa County through Home in Five. On a $400,000 loan, that's $16,000-$24,000 toward your down payment and closing costs. Income limits: $155,386 statewide (Home Plus) and $157,360 (Home in Five, Maricopa). Figures verified July 2026.
Who qualifies for down payment assistance in Arizona?
More buyers than expect to: Home Plus has no first-time-buyer requirement, you need a 620+ credit score, income under $155,386, and an eligible loan (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional). Home in Five requires 640+ and a Maricopa County purchase. Teachers, first responders, active-duty military, and Veterans get bonus tiers on both. You pick one program per purchase, they don't stack with each other.
What down payment assistance is available in Arizona?
Arizona down payment assistance (AZ DPA) comes in three tiers: statewide programs like Home Plus (up to 4% of the loan amount) and Arizona Is Home (up to 5%), the Maricopa County-only Home in Five (up to 6%), and national programs. Chenoa, Arrive, and Essex/NHF, that work anywhere in AZ with no income limit. Most deliver the help as a no-monthly-payment second lien.