Updated June 2026 · Mike Certo, NMLS #260555

Phoenix Down Payment Assistance Programs

Phoenix buyers have access to the most diverse DPA program menu in Arizona — Home in Five Advantage (Maricopa County only), statewide Home Plus, national programs (Chenoa, Arrive, Essex/NHF), and public-servant bonus tiers. Here's the practical Phoenix DPA map.

By Mike Certo, NMLS #260555 — Updated June 2026

Key Takeaways

Phoenix is in Maricopa County, so we can match Phoenix buyers to Home in Five Advantage (Maricopa only) for up to 6.5% assistance, or statewide Home Plus for up to 5%.
Most Phoenix DPA does not get repaid on schedule. We use Home Plus and Home in Five as forgivable or deferred soft seconds with no monthly payment; the lien resolves over time or at sale.
You do not have to be a first-time buyer. We can place repeat buyers in Home Plus and Home in Five; "first-time" means no ownership in the last three years.
You need a 640 credit score for Home in Five and 620 for Home Plus. FHA itself allows 580. There is no single DPA credit score; it depends on the program.
Income limits are $157,360 household for Home in Five and $155,386 borrower for Home Plus ($146,503 with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional government loan).
We are the lender, and we tell you up front when down payment assistance is not the right move for your purchase.

Phoenix DPA program menu

Phoenix is in Maricopa County, which gives Phoenix buyers access to Maricopa-specific programs that Arizona buyers in other counties don't have.

Home in Five Advantage (Maricopa County)

The flagship Maricopa County DPA. Up to 5% standard assistance, plus a 1% bonus tier for K-12 teachers, first responders, U.S. military, Veterans, and income-qualified buyers, plus a 0.5% BOOST in low-income census tracts — up to 6.5% total. Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional. Maximum household income $157,360 (as of June 10, 2026). Credit 640+. See the current DPA figures for the latest limits.

Home Plus (statewide AZ)

Available in all Arizona counties including Maricopa/Phoenix. Up to 4% assistance, plus 1% more for Active Duty military and Veterans (up to 5% total). Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional. Borrower income up to $155,386, and a different qualification structure than Home in Five. Compare every option on the full DPA programs page.

National programs (work in Phoenix too)

Chenoa Fund: 3.5% DPA, FHA pairing, FICO 600+, no income cap
Arrive Home: 3.5% DPA, FHA pairing, forgivable after 36 months
Essex/NHF: Down payment + closing cost assistance, FHA pairing

Public-servant bonus on Home in Five

Phoenix-area K-12 teachers, first responders (police, fire, EMT), U.S. military, and Veterans can add a 1% bonus on top of the standard Home in Five assistance. A separate 0.5% BOOST applies in low-income census tracts, for up to 6.5% total. These are built into the Home in Five program, not a separate program. Eligibility:

K-12 teachers in qualifying Arizona public schools
Police officers, firefighters, EMTs in qualifying departments
U.S. military and Veterans
Income-qualified buyers (per the program income tiers)

Common Phoenix buyer scenarios

The Phoenix teacher: Home in Five with the 1% public-servant bonus (up to 6.5% total). Layered with an FHA first mortgage. Covers down payment plus most closing costs.
The Arcadia first-time buyer (up to $157,360 household income): Home in Five Advantage standard assistance. FHA first mortgage. Closing costs partially covered.
The Phoenix buyer with FICO 605: Chenoa Fund 3.5% DPA — works at 600+ FICO when other programs require 640+.
The repeat Phoenix buyer (not first-time): Chenoa or Arrive — neither requires first-time buyer status.
The Phoenix buyer over income limits: Chenoa Fund or Arrive — no income limits on national programs.

Phoenix DPA credit checkpoints

Under 600 FICO: No DPA program currently qualifies; credit improvement first
600-619 FICO: Chenoa Fund only
620-639 FICO: Chenoa plus some Home Plus configurations
640+ FICO: Most programs open up — Home in Five, Home Plus, Arrive, Essex/NHF
680+ FICO: Best pricing tiers on most programs

Phoenix neighborhood considerations

Different Phoenix neighborhoods have different median home prices that interact with DPA program limits:

South Phoenix, Laveen, Maryvale, Sunnyslope: Lower-priced segments; full DPA programs accessible
Phoenix central, Encanto, Coronado: Mid-priced; verify against Home in Five purchase-price caps
Arcadia, Biltmore, North Central: Higher-priced; some segments may exceed DPA program purchase-price limits
Camelback Corridor, Paradise Valley adjacent: Most luxury; typically above DPA program ranges

Next step

20-minute call. Bring rough credit, household income, FTHB status, profession (especially if public-servant eligible), and target Phoenix neighborhood. We map the right DPA pairing. Ready when you are — reach out for a free consult.

FAQ

Do you have to pay back down payment assistance in Phoenix?

Usually not on a monthly schedule. The two main Phoenix programs, Home Plus and Home in Five, are forgivable or deferred soft seconds with no monthly payment; the lien is forgiven over time or settled when you sell or refinance. National FHA programs differ: Arrive Home is forgivable after 36 months, while Chenoa has a repayable option. See forgivable vs repayable for the details.

How much down payment assistance can I get in Phoenix?

Up to 6.5% with Home in Five Advantage in Maricopa County: 5% standard, plus a 1% bonus for teachers, first responders, military, Veterans, or income-qualified buyers, plus a 0.5% BOOST in low-income census tracts. Statewide Home Plus gives up to 5% (4% plus 1% more for Active Duty and Veterans). National programs run 3.5%.

What credit score do I need for Phoenix DPA?

You need a 640 credit score for Home in Five and 620 for Home Plus, the two main Phoenix DPA programs. FHA on its own allows scores down to 580. There is no single DPA credit score; it depends on the program. If you are between 600 and 639, the Chenoa Fund national program works at 600+ when the local programs do not.

What are the income limits for Phoenix DPA?

Home in Five Advantage caps household income at $157,360 (as of June 10, 2026). Home Plus caps borrower income at $155,386, or $146,503 with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional government loan. National programs like Chenoa and Arrive have no income cap, which makes them the fallback for Phoenix buyers above these limits.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer to use Phoenix DPA?

No. Home Plus and Home in Five both allow repeat buyers, not just first-timers. Where a "first-time" rule applies, it means you have not owned a home in the last three years, so prior owners often re-qualify. The Chenoa and Arrive national programs also have no first-time buyer requirement.

Home Plus vs Home in Five — which is better for a Phoenix buyer?

For most Phoenix buyers, Home in Five wins on amount: up to 6.5% versus Home Plus at up to 5%. Home in Five is Maricopa County only, and Phoenix sits in Maricopa, so both are on the table. Both allow repeat buyers; Home Plus needs a 620 score and Home in Five needs 640. We compare your exact numbers on the full DPA programs page and the program matcher.

Does Phoenix DPA work with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans?

Yes, all four. Home Plus and Home in Five layer on top of an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage. You pick the first loan that fits your situation, then the DPA covers down payment and often part of closing costs. Veterans can stack the 1% military bonus on top.

Can I combine two DPA programs in Phoenix?

No. You get one DPA program per home purchase, and DPA programs do not stack with each other. The assistance does layer with your first mortgage, and within Home in Five the bonus tiers (the 1% public-servant bonus and 0.5% BOOST) add up. Check the current DPA figures for the latest limits.