Arizona’s real estate market continues to draw interest from both in-state residents and out-of-state buyers, with demand especially strong in growing metro areas like Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. Despite relatively lower home prices compared to neighboring states, rising costs have made it tougher for many buyers, especially first-time homebuyers, to pull together enough for a down payment.
Fortunately, Arizona offers a wide variety of down payment assistance (DPA) programs aimed at making homeownership more achievable. Many of these programs provide grants or forgivable loans to qualified buyers, significantly reducing the amount of upfront cash needed to purchase a home.
This guide highlights some of the most widely available down payment assistance programs across the state. While not an exhaustive list, it focuses on the options most accessible to Arizona homebuyers today. We’ll continue updating this page as new programs are introduced or updated.
Before we dive into those, however, it’s useful to first understand one of the key terms used in DPA eligibility: Area Median Income (AMI).
What Is AMI and How Does It Impact DPA Eligibility?
Area median income, or AMI, is a term you’ll see frequently in down payment assistance program eligibility requirements. These programs often require that applicants make no more than a set percentage of their area's median income level.
Example: A DPA program requires that you make 100% or less of AMI. You find a house where AMI is $95,000 per year. You make $90,000 per year, so you may be eligible for the program.
You can search for AMI by property address using Fannie Mae’s lookup tool.
>>>DISCOVER: 10 Cheapest Places to Buy a House in Arizona
Statewide Down Payment Assistance Programs
Arizona offers a handful of programs available to buyers across nearly all counties and cities. These options tend to have generous funding and broad eligibility criteria.
Home Plus Program
The Home Plus Program offers a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage paired with up to 4% of the loan amount in down payment and closing cost assistance, provided as a forgivable second mortgage. The loan has 0% interest and is forgiven after five years as long as you stay in the home.
Eligibility: Qualifying borrower income must be $155,386 or less (2026), buyers must complete a homebuyer education course, and the assistance can be used statewide with no first-time homebuyer requirement.
Arizona Is Home Program
The Arizona Is Home Program offers a below-market 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and 4% down payment assistance as a non-forgivable second mortgage. The loan has 0% interest and no monthly payments, with the full balance due upon sale or refinance. Available in all Arizona counties except Maricopa, Pima, and the town of Chino Valley.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers, 620+ credit score, income at or below 100% of AMI, and purchase in an eligible rural county. Homebuyer education required.
WISH Program
The FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program provides a 4-to-1 matching grant of up to $32,837 for down payment and closing costs through participating member financial institutions.
Eligibility: Buyers must be first-time homebuyers, earn no more than 80% of AMI, complete homebuyer counseling, and contribute their own funds toward the purchase.
Middle-Income Downpayment Assistance Program
The FHLBank San Francisco Middle-Income Downpayment Assistance Program provides matching grants of up to $50,000 for down payment and closing costs through participating member financial institutions.
Eligibility: Buyers must be first-time homebuyers, generally earn between 80.01% and 140% of AMI, contribute at least $10,000 toward the purchase, and complete homebuyer counseling.
Regional and County Down Payment Assistance Programs
These programs are limited to specific counties but offer generous assistance amounts and multiple repayment structures.
Home in Five Advantage (Maricopa County & Phoenix)
The Home in Five Advantage Program provides between 3% and 6% of the first mortgage amount in down payment and closing cost assistance through several second-loan options, including forgivable, deferred, and repayable assistance. It is available throughout Maricopa County, including Phoenix.
Eligibility: The general program income limit is $157,360 (2026), buyers generally need a minimum credit score of 640, and specific requirements vary by assistance option. Homebuyer education is required.
Also, check out the Home in 5 Platinum program.
Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution (Pima County & Tucson)
The Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution offers a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with down payment assistance up to 4%, generally delivered as a forgivable second mortgage. Qualifying first-time buyers may also have access to a PTHS Arizona Is Home option providing up to $15,000 in assistance.
Eligibility: Minimum credit score of 640, max DTI of 45%, and no first-time buyer requirement for the standard PTHS program; income limits vary based on loan type and program version.
Light House Program (Pima County & Tucson)
The Light House Program offers a fixed-rate mortgage and 4% in down payment assistance through a 0% interest forgivable second mortgage.
Eligibility: Buyers must be first-time buyers, have a credit score of at least 640, stay within IRS income and purchase price limits, and agree to owner-occupy the home.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by City
Some cities offer targeted DPA programs to help local residents become homeowners and stay within their communities.
Open Doors Down Payment Assistance (City of Phoenix)
The Open Doors Program offers up to 10% of the home’s purchase price as a deferred-payment loan at 0% interest that is fully forgiven after an occupancy period.
Eligibility: Buyers must be first-time homebuyers, earn no more than 80% of AMI, contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds, and complete HUD-certified education and counseling.
City of Tucson/Pima County DPA Program
The City of Tucson/Pima County DPA offers up to $50,000 or 20% of the purchase price, whichever is less, as a 2% interest, deferred-payment loan to cover down payment and closing costs. Accrued interest is forgiven after the applicable owner-occupancy period, while the principal must be repaid when the home is sold.
Eligibility: Household income must be at or below 80% of AMI, buyer must contribute at least $1,000, have two months of mortgage payments in reserves after closing, and complete a homebuyer education course.
Flagstaff Community Homebuyer Assistance Program (CHAP)
Flagstaff’s CHAP offers two assistance options. Home Purchase Assistance provides up to $50,000 in 10x matching funds for down payment and closing costs through a deferred 0% interest loan that is not forgiven. A Permanent Affordability pathway provides assistance equal to 30% of the purchase price in exchange for permanent resale restrictions.
Eligibility: Buyers generally must not have owned a home in Flagstaff in the past 3 years, have lived or worked within the Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization boundary for at least 12 consecutive months, and purchase within Flagstaff city limits. Household income limits are 150% of AMI for Home Purchase Assistance and 125% of AMI for the Permanent Affordability option.
Additional Arizona Down Payment Assistance Programs
Here are some extra options beyond the programs covered above.
Statewide Programs
- Chenoa Fund (Nationwide program available in Arizona)
City Programs
- Flagstaff Employer Assisted Housing Program (for City of Flagstaff employees)
Using Arizona Down Payment Assistance
Arizona offers a wide range of down payment assistance programs that can help reduce the upfront cost of buying a home. Whether you're looking in a major metro area or a smaller community, these resources are here to give you the financial boost needed to make homeownership possible. Experiment with our loan calculators and stay up to date with current mortgage rates to make the smartest financial decisions.
If you're planning to buy in Arizona, taking advantage of these programs could make a real difference.
Check with the organization directly for the most recent guidelines. While programs were fact-checked at the time of writing, requirements change often, and programs become unavailable when funds are exhausted.
