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Home / Arizona / Arizona Down Payment Assistance
Statewide and Maricopa County programs · 220+ lenders
Arizona has real down payment programs with published terms, including Home Plus from the Arizona Industrial Development Authority and Home in Five Advantage from the Maricopa County and Phoenix industrial development authorities. Pick My Mortgage Rate, Jerry Kindig's team through Loan Factory, can offer both programs, subject to eligibility and available program funds, and will help you see which may fit.
Illustrative only. Assistance amounts, income limits, and eligibility are set by each program and can change. All loans subject to approval.
A lot of "Arizona down payment help" pages recycle old numbers. The facts below come from the program administrators' own 2026 documents. Limits change, so we date-stamp them and will update this page when the programs do.
Both major Arizona programs can be used for down payment and closing costs, so more of your savings can stay in reserve, subject to each program's rules.
Home Plus is forgiven on the fifth anniversary if you keep the loan in place. Home in Five has options that forgive a little each month you live in the home.
These programs are designed to sit behind an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional HFA first mortgage. See FHA requirements in Arizona.
Home Plus does not require you to be a first-time buyer. Some Home in Five options do. We will check the option that fits your history.
Home Plus requires at least one borrower to finish an approved homebuyer course before closing. Home in Five requires an 8-hour course from an approved Arizona agency.
Jerry Kindig is an Arizona-based loan officer (NMLS #2397823). We explain the second-loan terms in plain language before you commit.
If you are buying anywhere in Arizona and your qualifying income is at or under $155,386, Home Plus is often the first program we look at.
Pick My Mortgage Rate, Jerry Kindig's team through Loan Factory, can offer Arizona Home Plus and Home in Five, subject to eligibility and available program funds.
Home Plus is administered by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, a nonprofit corporation and political subdivision of the State of Arizona, formed by the Arizona Finance Authority. It is available on properties anywhere in Arizona: every county, city, and ZIP code.
The assistance is a second mortgage, not a grant or a gift. It is a percentage of the first mortgage balance, rounded to the nearest dollar, and it can fund up to 100% of your cash needed to close, including down payment, closing costs, prepaid items, and upfront mortgage insurance. It is forgiven in full on the fifth anniversary of the original loan date. There is no monthly or annual forgiveness before then. If you sell or refinance before that anniversary, the second loan is typically due. The Arizona IDA does not subordinate to a refinance and does not make exceptions to those repayment terms.
Published assistance options, from the Arizona IDA Home Plus Program Summary for Lenders (version June 2026):
0%, 2%, 3%, or 4% of the first mortgage, as a forgivable second loan.
0%, 3%, or 4% of the first mortgage, as a forgivable second loan.
Published at 4% of the first mortgage, as a forgivable second loan.
This limit applies in all 15 Arizona counties as of April 6, 2026. It uses the qualifying income of the borrowers who will both live in the home and sign the note, following the first-mortgage agency's income rules. Household income is not used, except on USDA loans. A non-occupying co-signer's income does not count against the $155,386 cap.
The program summary sets a 620 minimum FICO for conventional HFA loans and for FHA, VA, USDA, and HUD 184. Conventional loans need an automated underwriting approval. Manual underwriting is available only for HUD 184.
You do not have to be a first-time homebuyer for any Home Plus loan product.
The Arizona IDA does not add its own purchase-price limit. You still have to follow the first-mortgage agency's limits, including FHA and conforming loan limits.
Purchase loans only, on a home you will live in. Eligible property types include single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, and PUDs. Two-unit homes are allowed if you live in one unit. Three- and four-unit homes, co-ops, vacation homes, and second homes are not allowed. Manufactured housing is allowed on some, but not all, first-mortgage types.
The Arizona IDA says the Home Plus program is available year-round, does not deplete its funding, and is consistently funded without a sunset date. That is a real difference from programs that close when a yearly pot of money runs out.
Sources: Arizona IDA Home Plus Program Summary for Lenders, version June 2026 (homeplusaz.com), and the Home Plus program pages at homeplusaz.com, fetched November 11, 2026. Income limit effective April 6, 2026.
If you are buying in Maricopa County, including Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, Peoria, Surprise, and the rest of the county, Home in Five can offer a larger percentage of assistance than Home Plus, with a slightly higher income cap and a higher published credit floor.
Home in Five Advantage is a partnership of the Industrial Development Authorities of the City of Phoenix and the County of Maricopa. It is only for homes purchased in Maricopa County, including the City of Phoenix. Lakeview Loan Servicing is the long-standing servicer; Land Home Financial Services also services correspondent loans on the Advantage program.
Assistance is a second loan sized at 3%, 4%, 5%, or 6% of the final first mortgage (the 30-year deferred option is 3%, 4%, or 5%), with no dollar cap, rounded down to the nearest dollar. It can cover up to 100% of your cash to close. The second loans are not assumable, and the IDAs will not subordinate them.
There is more than one repayment structure. The right one depends on your income, your first-mortgage type, and which options still have funds.
Principal is deferred, with no interest. It is forgiven at 1/36th per full month you stay in the home, and the lien is released after the full term. If you sell, transfer, or refinance during the term, the remaining balance is due.
Forgiven at 1/84th per full month. For FHA or VA, income can go up to 120% of area median income ($134,880 in the June 10, 2026 guidelines). For conventional HFA loans, income is limited to 80% of AMI ($89,920). This option is only for first-time homebuyers who have been Arizona residents for at least six months. As of June 25, 2026, the program's lender page says funds for the 7-year forgivable option with a 30-year first mortgage have been fully used, and additional funds are not currently expected. Confirm status before you plan around this option.
You make a separate monthly payment on this second loan. There is no principal forgiveness. The remaining balance is due if you sell, transfer, or refinance. That monthly payment has to be counted in your debt-to-income ratio. (The program publishes a stated interest rate on this option; we do not list rates on this site, so ask us for the current terms.)
Principal is deferred, with no interest. There is no forgiveness until the 30-year anniversary, when the lien is released. The remaining balance is due if you sell, transfer, or refinance earlier.
From the Down Payment Assistance Guidelines effective June 10, 2026. The guidelines also list $89,920 (80% AMI) for certain conventional-loan options and $134,880 (120% AMI) for the 7-year option. Qualifying income used to underwrite the first mortgage is what is tested, not household income.
The government product matrix effective September 23, 2026, sets 640 for one- to four-unit FHA and VA purchases, and 660 for manufactured homes. Debt-to-income is the lesser of 50% or the automated underwriting approval (45% for manufactured homes). FHA manual downgrades are limited to 43%.
Every Home in Five buyer must complete an 8-hour course through an approved housing counseling agency located in Arizona, in person or online, and give the lender a completion certificate. Approved online courses listed on the program site include agencies such as Trellis, Chicanos Por La Causa, and Money Management International.
FHA (up to 96.5% LTV) or VA (up to 100% LTV) on the government matrix, or Fannie Mae HFA Preferred or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage on the conventional matrix. 2- to 4-unit properties on the Advantage program are limited; the matrix points 2-4 units to the separate Platinum bond program.
Home in Five Platinum: As of June 9, 2026, the lender page says all Home in Five Platinum funds have been used and the waitlist has been closed. We are not treating Platinum as a current option on this page.
Sources: Home in Five Down Payment Assistance Guidelines, effective June 10, 2026; Lakeview Home in Five Government Program matrix, HFA V26.2, effective September 23, 2026; Home in Five "Resources for Lenders" and "Homebuyer Education" pages at homein5advantage.com; Maricopa County IDA homebuyer assistance page at mcida.com. Fetched November 11, 2026.
Both can be a fit. The better one depends on where the home is, your income, your credit, and whether you want a forgiven second loan or can make a second payment. We will compare them for your numbers, subject to eligibility.
| Feature | Home Plus (statewide) | Home in Five Advantage (Maricopa) |
|---|---|---|
| Where it works | Every Arizona county, city, and ZIP code | Maricopa County only, including Phoenix |
| Administrator | Arizona Industrial Development Authority | Phoenix IDA and Maricopa County IDA |
| Assistance amount | Up to 4% of the first mortgage (options vary by loan type) | 3% to 6% of the first mortgage (30-year option is 3% to 5%) |
| What the help is | Second mortgage, forgiven in full on the 5th anniversary; no monthly forgiveness before then | Second mortgage. 3-year and 7-year options forgive a little each month; 10-year requires a monthly payment; 30-year is deferred until year 30 |
| Income limit (2026) | $155,386 qualifying income, all counties, as of April 6, 2026 | $157,360 program limit, with lower AMI caps on some options, as of June 10, 2026 |
| Minimum credit score | 620 | 640 (660 for manufactured homes) |
| First-time buyer required? | No | Not for the 3-year, 10-year, or 30-year options. Yes for the 7-year option, plus six months as an Arizona resident |
| Purchase-price cap | None from the Arizona IDA; first-mortgage loan limits still apply | None from the program; first-mortgage loan limits still apply |
| Education | At least one borrower, approved course, before closing | All buyers, 8-hour course from an approved Arizona agency |
| Funding (as of November 11, 2026) | The Arizona IDA says the program is available year-round and does not deplete its funding | The 7-year forgivable option was fully used as of June 25, 2026. Other options: confirm current funds with us |
| If you refinance early | The Arizona IDA does not subordinate; the second loan is typically due | The IDAs do not subordinate; the remaining balance is typically due |
A useful page is honest about what is open and what we could not confirm.
Arizona has had other assistance programs. We only describe a program here if we can verify its current status from the administrator. Two notes matter for 2026:
Arizona Is Home is a separate Arizona IDA program. It is not available in Maricopa County, Pima County, or Chino Valley. It required first-time buyer status (with exceptions for qualified veterans and purchases in targeted areas), income at or below 100% of area median income, and it offered 4% assistance as a non-forgivable second mortgage. On October 5, 2026, the Arizona IDA published that 2026 funds were exhausted and the program is retired for the remainder of the year as of October 6, 2026. If it reopens in a later year, we will update this page. Home Plus remains the Arizona IDA's year-round alternative.
Some Arizona cities and counties run their own down payment help, often with tighter income limits, city-limit location rules, and limited funding. Those programs change often. We did not independently confirm every city program as open on November 11, 2026, so we are not publishing dollar amounts for them here. If you are buying in a particular city, ask us and we will check what is open.
Pathway to Purchase: We looked for a current official Arizona Department of Housing page for Pathway to Purchase and could not verify that the program is open in 2026. Until we can confirm it from the Department, we are leaving it off this page rather than repeating older third-party descriptions.
For a national overview of how down payment assistance works, see our down payment assistance page and Down Payment Assistance vs. Saving 20%.
A state or county program is not always the best fit. We will show you the alternatives.
Besides Arizona's state and county programs, we also have access to other lender down payment assistance programs. Those programs may be a better fit for your situation, and they are available in all of the states where we are licensed. See where we are licensed.
We do not list those lender programs by name on this page, and we do not publish amounts or terms for them, because the right option depends on your file and on current lender guidelines. When you talk with us, we will compare them side by side with Home Plus, Home in Five, and a loan with no assistance, subject to approval and eligibility.
An illustrative look at using Arizona down payment assistance with us. We can offer Home Plus and Home in Five through Loan Factory, subject to eligibility and available program funds.
County and city matter. Home in Five is Maricopa only. Home Plus is statewide. Income, credit, and first-time status point us to the right program.
We review income the way the program counts it, the published credit floor, education, and the first-mortgage type. This is a check, not a promise of approval.
We pair the second loan with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional HFA first mortgage and compare options across 220+ wholesale lenders.
Finish the required homebuyer course before closing. At closing, the assistance is funded as a second lien. All loans subject to approval.
Illustrative example. Timelines and requirements vary. All loans subject to approval.
Guidelines are set by each program and by the first-mortgage agency. Individual lenders can add their own overlays. If one path is a no, another may still work.
We can offer Home Plus and Home in Five through Loan Factory, subject to eligibility and available program funds.
Home Plus: $155,386 qualifying income as of April 6, 2026. Home in Five: $157,360 program limit as of June 10, 2026, with lower caps on some options.
620 for Home Plus. 640 for Home in Five (660 for manufactured homes). Lenders can still require more.
You must live in the home. Home in Five is Maricopa County only.
Required before closing. Plan for this early, especially the 8-hour Home in Five course.
Typically a 30-year fixed FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional HFA loan, within that loan's own limits and guidelines.
The $2,000 Best Price Guarantee does not apply to down payment assistance. Read the full terms.
As of April 6, 2026, the Home Plus income limit is $155,386 for all Arizona counties. The Arizona IDA uses the qualifying income of borrowers who will live in the home and sign the note, not household income (except on USDA loans). Limits can change, so confirm the current figure with us.
Not for Home Plus. Home in Five requires first-time buyer status only on the 7-year forgivable option, along with at least six months as an Arizona resident. Other Home in Five options do not list that requirement. "First-time" is usually defined by the program, and veterans sometimes have an exception. See our Arizona first-time home buyer page.
On these two programs, the help is a second mortgage, not a gift. Home Plus is forgiven in full on the fifth anniversary if you do not sell or refinance before then. Home in Five has options that forgive over 3, 7, or 30 years, and a 10-year option that you repay monthly. If you sell, transfer, or refinance during the term, the remaining balance is typically due. Neither administrator subordinates to a refinance.
Yes, both Home Plus and Home in Five are built to pair with FHA first mortgages, subject to eligibility. Your total loan still has to stay within the FHA loan limit for the county. In 2026, the FHA one-unit limit is $557,750 in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, $609,500 in Coconino County, and $541,287 in the other Arizona counties. See FHA loan requirements in Arizona and Maricopa County loan limits.
Home Plus publishes a 620 minimum. Home in Five publishes 640 (660 for manufactured homes). These are program floors, not a guarantee. Your first-mortgage type, debt-to-income ratio, and the lender's own guidelines also matter. All loans are subject to approval.
It depends on the program. The Arizona IDA says the Home Plus program is available year-round and does not deplete its funding. Home in Five's 7-year forgivable option was fully used as of June 25, 2026, and the Arizona IDA retired Arizona Is Home for the rest of 2026 after funds were exhausted as of October 6, 2026. Always confirm current funding before you write an offer.
Yes. Both Home Plus and Home in Five allow the second loan to fund up to 100% of your cash to close, including closing costs and prepaid items, subject to the program's rules and any minimum contribution the first mortgage requires. See Arizona closing costs for the cost categories that typically show up on an Arizona purchase.
There is no direct application from you to the Arizona IDA or the Maricopa and Phoenix IDAs. You work with us. Pick My Mortgage Rate, Jerry Kindig's team through Loan Factory, can offer Home Plus and Home in Five, subject to eligibility and available program funds. Send us a note, call or text (480) 526-4505, or apply with AI, and we will walk you through eligibility and compare other lender assistance that may be a better fit. All loans and assistance are subject to approval.
Yes. Besides Arizona's state and county programs, we also have access to other lender down payment assistance programs. Those may be a better fit, and they are available in all of the states where we are licensed. We do not list them by name, or their amounts or terms, on this page. We will compare them side by side with Home Plus, Home in Five, and a loan with no assistance, subject to approval and eligibility.
Written by Jerry L Kindig III, NMLS #2397823, a mortgage loan originator licensed in Arizona. Loan Factory, NMLS #320841. Equal Housing Opportunity. Program rules, income limits, assistance amounts, and loan limits change. Confirm current terms with the program administrator and a licensed loan officer before you make a decision. All loans and assistance are subject to approval and eligibility. Nothing on this page is a promise of approval, a loan offer, or a commitment to lend.
Tell us where you are buying and a licensed loan officer will follow up. This is a conversation, not an approval. Prefer to move now?