National DPA Programs in Arizona — Chenoa, Arrive, Essex/NHF
When Arizona HFA programs don't fit — income too high, not a first-time buyer, target home outside program areas — national DPA programs fill the gap. Chenoa Fund, Arrive Home, and Essex/NHF all operate statewide in Arizona with broader eligibility than HFA programs. Here's how each works.
By Mike Certo, Cornerstone First Mortgage · NMLS #260555 · Updated 2026-06-08
When national DPA programs make sense in Arizona
National programs work statewide in Arizona without the geographic, income, or first-time-buyer restrictions that Arizona HFA programs (Home Plus, Home in Five, Pima HBS) carry. They're useful when:
- Household income exceeds local AMI caps ($112K-$153K depending on the HFA program)
- You're a repeat homebuyer, not first-time
- Target home is in a county or city where HFA programs aren't available
- HFA programs have run out of funding for the year
- You want pricing tiers that scale with income or scenario
Chenoa Fund
Program structure
Chenoa Fund offers 3.5% DPA structured as either a repayable second mortgage or a forgivable grant, depending on the variant chosen. Available statewide in Arizona. Works with FHA primary mortgages. The forgivable variant typically forgives after 36 months of continued occupancy in the home.
Eligibility
- Credit score 600+ (lower than most HFA programs)
- No first-time-buyer requirement
- No income cap, though pricing tiers apply at higher incomes
- FHA primary mortgage required
Who Chenoa fits
Buyers with credit scores below 640 who don't qualify for HFA programs. Buyers above HFA income caps. Repeat buyers. Arizona buyers in counties with limited HFA options.
Arrive Home
Program structure
Arrive Home offers 3.5% DPA as a forgivable grant. Forgiveness occurs after 36 months of continued occupancy. Works with FHA primary mortgages. Statewide Arizona availability.
Eligibility
- Credit score 620+
- No first-time-buyer requirement
- FHA primary mortgage required
- Owner-occupied primary residence only
Who Arrive fits
Buyers who plan to stay in the home 36+ months and want forgivable assistance. Buyers who don't qualify under HFA first-time-buyer rules. Repeat buyers between Arizona homes.
Essex/NHF (National Homebuyers Fund)
Program structure
Essex offers DPA in down payment plus closing cost form. Available statewide in Arizona. Works with FHA and some conventional primary mortgages depending on the variant.
Eligibility
- Credit score 640+ typical
- No first-time-buyer requirement on most variants
- Income limits vary by program variant
Who Essex fits
Buyers in Arizona counties where Home Plus or Home in Five caps are tight. Repeat buyers. Buyers who want closing-cost help in addition to down payment assistance.
Comparing the three national programs side-by-side
| Program | DPA amount | Min credit | Forgiveness | FTHB required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chenoa Fund | 3.5% | 600+ | Variant-dependent (some forgivable, some repayable) | No |
| Arrive Home | 3.5% | 620+ | Forgiven after 36 months occupancy | No |
| Essex/NHF | Varies by variant | 640+ typical | Variant-dependent | Usually no |
National vs Arizona HFA trade-offs
National programs typically offer:
- Lower DPA percentages (3.5% national vs 4-5% on Home in Five) but broader eligibility
- More flexible credit (600+ on Chenoa vs 640+ on most HFA)
- No first-time-buyer requirement (vs FTHB-required on most HFA)
- Statewide availability (vs Maricopa-only or county-specific HFA programs)
Arizona HFA programs typically offer:
- Higher DPA percentages and dollar amounts
- Better pricing tiers for income-eligible buyers
- Targeted occupation bonuses (teachers, first responders, etc.)
- Closing cost help in addition to down payment
Next step
The right Arizona DPA program — national or HFA — depends on your specific scenario. A 20-minute call walks through credit, income, county, scenario before recommending a specific program. Schedule a free consultation or call (480) 296-6513.
National DPA in Arizona — frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay back national down payment assistance in Arizona?
It depends on the program. Arrive Home forgives its 3.5% assistance after 36 months of living in the home, so you never repay it. Chenoa Fund offers both a forgivable variant (forgiven after 36 months) and a repayable second mortgage you pay back over time. Essex/NHF terms vary by variant. We confirm which structure applies before you commit.
How much national down payment assistance can I get in Arizona?
National programs give 3.5% of the loan amount through Chenoa Fund or Arrive Home, with Essex/NHF varying by variant. That is less than Arizona HFA programs: Home Plus gives up to 5% and Home in Five gives up to 6.5% in Maricopa County. National programs trade a smaller percentage for broader eligibility and no income cap. See the current DPA figures.
What credit score do I need for national DPA in Arizona?
You generally need a 600 to 640 credit score for national DPA: Chenoa Fund starts at 600, Arrive Home at 620, and Essex/NHF at 640 typical. That is looser than Arizona HFA programs like Home Plus and Home in Five, which require 640. FHA financing itself allows scores down to 580, but the assistance layer sets its own floor.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to use national DPA?
No. Chenoa Fund, Arrive Home, and most Essex/NHF variants have no first-time-buyer requirement, so repeat buyers qualify. This is the main reason national DPA exists alongside HFA programs. Arizona's Home Plus and Home in Five also allow repeat buyers, where "first-time" means no ownership in the past three years on programs that require it.
Can I combine two DPA programs in Arizona?
No. You choose one DPA program per home purchase. National programs do not stack with another DPA program. What does pair naturally is one DPA program with one first mortgage, such as Chenoa with FHA. The phrase "DPA + FHA" describes that pairing, not a stack of two assistance programs.
Does national DPA work with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans?
Chenoa Fund and Arrive Home pair with FHA first mortgages. Essex/NHF works with FHA and some conventional loans depending on the variant. For VA or USDA financing, Arizona's Home Plus and Home in Five are the better fit since both are Veteran-eligible and work across FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional. We match the assistance to your loan type.
Is national DPA always the right move?
No. DPA can carry slightly higher first-mortgage pricing, so if you already have savings for a down payment, paying from your own funds may cost less over the life of the loan. National DPA shines when you are over HFA income caps, are a repeat buyer, or have a 600-640 credit score. We compare both paths before recommending one.
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