CLIENT RESOURCE

Arizona Homebuyers
Programs

Arizona offers several programs that can significantly reduce what you bring to closing. These programs pair a fixed-rate mortgage with down payment and closing cost assistance — sometimes up to 6% of the loan amount.

Up to 6%DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
640+TYPICAL MIN. CREDIT SCORE
4 ProgramsSTATEWIDE + COUNTY
Each program has its own income limits, credit score requirements, and purchase-price caps. Your lender confirms what you qualify for. Program details and funding availability change — always verify current terms with an approved lender before applying.
Statewide — All 15 Counties Active

HOME+Plus

Administered by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority (AzIDA)

Arizona's flagship statewide homebuyer program. Combines a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with down payment assistance you can use toward your down payment, closing costs, or both. Available to buyers in every Arizona county, city, and zip code.

Assistance Amount
Up to 5% of the loan amount

Provided as a 3-year, zero-interest, deferred second mortgage — forgiven monthly at 1/36th over the 3-year term. Exact % depends on your loan type (Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA).

Borrower Requirements
  • Minimum FICO credit score: 640
  • Annual household income: varies by county — check current limits with lender
  • Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before closing
  • Home must be primary residence
  • Must use an AzIDA-approved lender
Property Requirements
  • Located anywhere in Arizona
  • Must be primary residence — no investment properties
  • New or existing home, condo, or townhome
  • No refinances — new purchase only
  • Purchase price limit varies — confirm with lender
Loan Types Accepted
Conventional FHA VA USDA

Pairs with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, and USDA Rural Development loans. May include discounted mortgage insurance on conventional loans.

Ask your lender: "Do I qualify for the HOME+Plus program, and how much assistance could I receive?"
Maricopa County Only Active

Home in Five Advantage

A partnership between the Phoenix IDA and Maricopa County IDA

Designed specifically for buyers purchasing in Maricopa County. Offers some of the highest assistance amounts available — up to 6% — plus an extra 1% for qualifying professions like teachers, first responders, and veterans.

Assistance Amount
Up to 6% of the loan amount

Offered as a 3-year, 7-year, or 10-year second mortgage (forgivable or amortizing depending on term). The 7-year forgivable option requires first-time buyer status and income under 120% AMI ($131,520).

Extra 1% Bonus — Who Qualifies
  • K–12 Teachers & school staff
  • First responders (police, fire, EMT)
  • U.S. military (active duty, veterans, reservists)
  • Income-qualified buyers earning ≤ $36,450/yr
Borrower Requirements
  • Minimum FICO credit score: 640
  • Annual income: up to $153,440
  • Debt-to-income ratio: 45% max
  • Occupy home within 60 days of closing
  • Complete homebuyer education course
  • 1% origination fee plus standard closing costs
Property Requirements
  • Must be located in Maricopa County
  • New purchase only — no refinances
  • Houses, condos, PUDs, or townhomes
  • No purchase price limit
  • Must be primary residence
If you're buying in Maricopa County, ask your lender: "Can we look at Home in Five options for my purchase?"
13 Rural Counties (Not Maricopa/Pima) Funding Paused — 2026 Relaunch Pending

Arizona Is Home

Collaboration between ADOH & the Arizona Industrial Development Authority (AzIDA)

A Governor Hobbs initiative that assisted 524+ homebuyers statewide. Provides a below-market 30-year fixed-rate mortgage paired with 4% down payment assistance for first-time buyers in Arizona's rural counties. Currently paused — a 2026 relaunch determination is expected by March 30, 2026.

Program currently paused. The Arizona IDA's Arizona Is Home program exhausted available 2025 funding. A determination on a potential 2026 relaunch is expected by March 30, 2026. Ask your lender about the latest status — HOME+Plus remains active for all counties.
Assistance Amount (when active)
4% of the loan amount

A 5-year, zero-interest, no-payment deferred second mortgage. Fully forgiven after 60 months. Due in full if the home is sold or refinanced before month 60.

Borrower Requirements
  • Must be a first-time homebuyer (no home owned in last 3 years)
  • Annual income: at or below 100% of Area Median Income by county
  • Complete HUD-approved homebuyer education course
  • Veterans may qualify even if not first-time buyer
Eligible Counties
ApacheCochiseCoconino GilaGrahamGreenlee La PazMohaveNavajo PinalSanta CruzYavapai Yuma

Not available in Maricopa or Pima counties — use HOME+Plus or Home in Five instead.

County Income Limits (AMI)
Pinal County$109,600
Yavapai County$87,300
Coconino Countyvaries
Mohave Countyvaries
Yuma County$76,200
Santa Cruz County$66,100
Navajo County$67,200

Limits are at 100% AMI (temporary increase effective Oct. 2024). Confirm current limits with your lender.

Ask: "Are there any current Arizona grant or special homebuyer programs available in [your county] that I should know about?"
Varies by Institution Ask Your Bank

Credit Union & Bank Assistance

Desert Financial, Arizona Federal, OneAZ, and participating lenders

Many Arizona credit unions and community banks offer their own down payment assistance programs, including matched-savings accounts and lender-specific grants. These often stack with state programs for maximum benefit.

Common Program: WISH / Matched Savings
4-to-1 savings match up to a set limit

The Federal Home Loan Bank's WISH (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership) program matches your savings 4-to-1. Save $5,000 → receive up to $20,000 in grant funds toward down payment and closing costs.

Common Features
  • Primarily for first-time buyers with income limits
  • Requires a required homebuyer education course
  • Some programs are grants (no repayment required)
  • Can often be stacked with HOME+Plus or Home in Five
  • Some include below-market rate mortgages
Where to Look
  • Desert Financial Credit Union — desertfinancial.com
  • Arizona Federal Credit Union — azfcu.org
  • OneAZ Credit Union — oneazcu.com
  • National banks (Chase, Wells Fargo, BofA) also offer community homebuyer grants
  • Ask any lender if they participate in FHLB WISH grants
Stacking Strategy

These programs can be combined. A buyer using WISH + HOME+Plus + seller concessions could reduce their out-of-pocket costs to near zero. Ask your lender which programs can be layered together for your specific purchase price and income.

Ask your bank or credit union: "Do you offer down payment assistance or matched-savings programs for homebuyers, and which state programs do you participate in?"

How We Use These Programs Together

When you meet with a lender, For The People will encourage you to explore every available option. These programs are designed to be stacked and layered — the goal is to get you into a home with as little out-of-pocket cost as possible.

When meeting with your lender, ask about:

  • Your estimated cash to close with and without assistance
  • Which programs you qualify for — HOME+Plus, Home in Five, grants, or credit-union assistance
  • Any trade-offs such as slightly higher rates in exchange for upfront assistance
  • Whether programs can be stacked for maximum benefit
Quick Comparison
Program Coverage Max Assist Min Score
HOME+Plus All AZ 5% 640
Home in Five Maricopa 6% 640
AZ Is Home paused 13 rural counties 4% varies
WISH / Bank Statewide 4:1 match varies
💬

Ready to Explore Your Options?

Your For The People agent will connect you with a lender who knows these programs and can run the numbers on what you actually qualify for — before you start your home search.

Back to Client Portal →