Arizona Down Payment Assistance in 2026
Down Payment Assistance Arizona 2026 programs can cover most or all of the cash you need to buy a home. Across the state, the main option is HOME Plus from the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, which adds up to 4% of your loan amount as a silent second mortgage that you never repay if you stay in the home for five years. Maricopa County buyers also have Home in Five Advantage, and Pima County buyers have the Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution. This guide walks through who qualifies, how much each program pays, the 2026 income limits, and the steps to apply. Every dollar and percentage figure below is tied to an official source with the date we checked it.
Assistance does not have to be repaid in most cases, but the rules matter. Read the program sections carefully, because eligibility, credit minimums, and the counties served are different for each one.
How Down Payment Assistance Works in Arizona
Most Arizona assistance comes as a “silent second” mortgage. That means a second loan sits behind your main mortgage, charges 0% interest, requires no monthly payment, and is forgiven over time. If you sell or refinance before the forgiveness period ends, you repay the remaining balance. After the forgiveness period, the second lien disappears.
These programs do not hand you a check. A participating lender layers the assistance on top of your first mortgage at closing. You still apply for a normal FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loan, and the assistance reduces the cash you bring to the table.
One point that trips up buyers: down payment help covers your down payment and, in some programs, closing costs. It does not cover FHA mortgage insurance (MIP) or conventional private mortgage insurance (PMI). You still pay those monthly.
HOME Plus: The Statewide Program
HOME Plus is run by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority (AzIDA) and is available in every county, city, and ZIP code in Arizona. You do not need to be a first-time buyer.
The assistance is a silent second mortgage with no interest and no monthly payment. It is forgiven monthly over the first five years (60 months). If you sell or refinance within that window, you repay the unforgiven balance.
How much you get. HOME Plus provides down payment and closing-cost assistance of up to 4% of the loan amount, available on conventional (Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, Freddie Mac HFA Advantage) and government (FHA, VA, USDA) loans. The exact percentage you receive is set within that range by your loan type and the option your lender uses.
2026 income limit. The borrower’s annual income cannot exceed $155,386.00, effective April 6, 2026 (source below). This is a single statewide cap, not a county-by-county figure.
Credit and debt. The minimum FICO score is 640. The maximum debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is 45% at a 640 score, rising to 50% for borrowers at 680 or above.
Requirements. You must occupy the home as your primary residence and complete a homebuyer education course. There is no first-time buyer requirement.
Find a participating lender at homeplusaz.com. The lender confirms your eligibility and attaches the assistance to your first mortgage.
Home in Five Advantage: Maricopa County
If you are buying in Maricopa County (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Glendale, and surrounding areas), Home in Five Advantage is run by the Maricopa County and Phoenix Industrial Development Authorities.
How much you get. Up to 6% of the loan amount in down payment and closing cost assistance.
2026 income limit. Maximum qualifying income is $153,440 for all borrowers.
Credit and debt. Minimum FICO of 640 and a maximum DTI of 45%.
Requirements. The home must be in Maricopa County and be your primary residence. Open to both first-time and repeat buyers.
Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution: Pima County
Buyers in Pima County (Tucson and surrounding areas) can use the Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution, administered by the Pima County Industrial Development Authority.
How much you get. DPA options from 0% to 4% of the loan amount, delivered as a silent second with no interest and no payment, forgiven monthly over the first five years of ownership.
2026 income limit. Household income cannot exceed $146,503.
Credit and debt. Minimum FICO of 640 and a maximum DTI of 45% (some exceptions apply).
Loan types. FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, and Freddie Mac HFA Advantage. The home must be your primary residence and located in Pima County.
Pathway to Purchase: Designated Arizona Cities
The Arizona Department of Housing runs Pathway to Purchase in a set of designated Arizona cities. It provides up to 10% of the loan amount, capped at $20,000, as a 0% silent second forgiven after five years. The minimum FICO is 640, and it is open to first-time and repeat buyers in the eligible areas.
Pathway funds are limited and awarded first-come, first-served, so confirm that money is still available before you count on it. The list of eligible cities and ZIP codes is set by the Department of Housing and changes between funding rounds; check the current list on housing.az.gov rather than relying on a fixed count.
City of Phoenix Open Doors
The City of Phoenix runs a separate Open Doors program for first-time buyers within Phoenix city limits. It provides assistance up to 10% of the purchase price, capped at $15,000, as a deferred second mortgage.
This program is far more restrictive than the IDA programs. It targets buyers at or below 80% of the area median income, and the maximum purchase price is low compared with current Phoenix home prices. Confirm current funding and eligibility directly with the City of Phoenix Housing Department before counting on it, because municipal funds run out and limits change.
Compare Arizona’s Main DPA Programs
| Program | Area | Max Assistance | 2026 Income Limit | Min FICO | Forgiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME Plus | Statewide | Up to 4% of loan | $155,386 | 640 | Forgiven over 5 years |
| Home in Five Advantage | Maricopa County | Up to 6% of loan | $153,440 | 640 | Silent second |
| Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution | Pima County | 0%–4% of loan | $146,503 | 640 | Forgiven over 5 years |
| City of Phoenix Open Doors | City of Phoenix | Up to 10% / $15,000 | ~80% AMI | Lender set | Deferred second |
Federal Loan Limits and Down Payment Rules for 2026
Arizona’s assistance pairs with a federally backed first mortgage. The 2026 limits set how large that first loan can be.
Conforming (conventional) loans. The 2026 baseline conforming loan limit for a one-unit home is $832,750. In high-cost counties the ceiling reaches $1,249,125. Arizona counties generally fall at or near the baseline.
FHA loans. FHA requires as little as 3.5% down with a 580 credit score. The 2026 FHA floor for a one-unit home is $541,287, and the FHA ceiling is $1,249,125. Most Arizona counties sit at or near the floor; in Maricopa County (Phoenix) the 2026 one-unit FHA limit is $557,750. Confirm your county’s exact figure on the HUD FHA mortgage limits lookup.
VA loans. Eligible veterans and service members can buy with zero down. The VA funding fee is unchanged for 2026:
- First use, 0% down: 2.15%
- Subsequent use, 0% down: 3.3%
- 5% or more down: 1.5%
- 10% or more down: 1.25%
- Borrowers with a VA disability rating of 10% or higher are exempt from the funding fee.
USDA loans. Zero down for homes in eligible rural areas of Arizona, with income limits set by household size and county.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Check your county. Statewide buyers use HOME Plus. Maricopa County buyers can compare HOME Plus and Home in Five. Pima County buyers can compare HOME Plus and the Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution.
- Confirm your income is under the program cap and your FICO is at least 640.
- Find a participating lender. HOME Plus lenders are listed at homeplusaz.com.
- Complete the required homebuyer education course.
- Get pre-approved for your first mortgage. The lender layers the assistance onto it.
- Shop for a home that meets occupancy and location rules, then close.
For a fuller picture of total cash needed, run the numbers with the closing cost calculator and review the mortgage closing costs breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to repay down payment assistance in Arizona?
For HOME Plus and the Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution, the assistance is a silent second mortgage forgiven over five years. If you stay in the home and do not refinance during that period, you never repay it. Sell or refinance early and you repay the remaining balance.
What is the income limit for HOME Plus in 2026?
The borrower’s annual income cannot exceed $155,386.00, effective April 6, 2026. This is a single statewide cap.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get help in Arizona?
Not for HOME Plus or Home in Five Advantage, which serve both first-time and repeat buyers. Some city programs, such as Phoenix Open Doors, are limited to first-time buyers.
What credit score do I need for Arizona down payment assistance?
The main programs (HOME Plus, Home in Five, Pima Tucson) require a minimum 640 FICO score. Individual lenders may set higher requirements.
Can I use down payment assistance with an FHA loan?
Yes. HOME Plus, Home in Five, and the Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution all work with FHA loans, as well as VA, USDA, and conventional loans.
Does assistance cover mortgage insurance?
No. Down payment assistance covers your down payment and, in some programs, closing costs. It does not cover FHA MIP or conventional PMI, which you still pay monthly.
Next Steps
Down payment assistance can be the difference between renting and owning in Arizona. Start by matching your county to the right program, confirm your income and credit, then talk to a participating lender.
By the AskDoss Mortgage Editorial Team. Reviewed for accuracy by the AskDoss Mortgage Editorial Team.
Last updated: July 8, 2026.
Related guides
- national down payment assistance guide
- California DPA programs
- Texas down payment assistance
- Florida Hometown Heroes
- Georgia Dream program
- Colorado assistance programs
- Washington State programs
- estimate Arizona closing costs
- how much house you can afford
- 2026 FHA loan requirements
- zero-down buying strategies
Sources
- Arizona Industrial Development Authority, HOME Plus 2026 Income Limits — https://homeplusaz.com/homeplus-2026-income-limits/ (accessed 2026-06-20)
- Arizona Industrial Development Authority, HOME Plus DPA program — https://homeplusaz.com/home-plus-dpa/ (accessed 2026-06-20)
- Arizona Down Payment Assistance, program details — https://www.arizonadownpaymentassistance.com/down-payment-programs/ (accessed 2026-06-20)
- Home in Five Advantage (Maricopa County) — https://homein5advantage.com/ (accessed 2026-06-20)
- Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution, Pima County IDA — https://pimaida.org/programs-and-impact/pima-tucson-homebuyers-solution/ (accessed 2026-06-20)
- City of Phoenix Open Doors program — https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/housing/housing-options.html (accessed 2026-06-20)
- FHFA, 2026 Conforming Loan Limit Values — https://www.fhfa.gov/news/news-release/fhfa-announces-conforming-loan-limit-values-for-2026 (accessed 2026-06-20)
- HUD, FHA 2026 loan limits, HUD-25-145 — https://www.hud.gov/news/hud-no-25-145 (accessed 2026-06-20)