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.
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