Arizona DPA

Best Down Payment Assistance Programs in Arizona (2026), Ranked

The best down payment assistance program in Arizona for most buyers is HOME Plus, run by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority. It is available in all 15 counties, works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans, does not require first-time buyer status, and provides up to 4% of the loan amount, with a forgivable option cleared after 60 months. Pima County and Tucson buyers have strong local options, and higher earners can reach for grant programs — the full ranking is below.

Published July 28, 2026Last updated July 2026By the Cook Brothers Mortgage Team
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How these Arizona DPA programs are ranked

This ranking weighs how much assistance a program provides, how widely it is available, how forgiving its repayment structure is, and how many buyers can actually use it. A statewide program that reaches every county and every major loan type earns a higher spot than a strong but geographically limited one. Where a program shines for a specific situation — the lowest credit score, the largest assistance amount, repeat buyers, or a particular county — that lane is called out in each entry so you can jump to the one that matches you.

For a fuller reference on how each program works, including loan-type compatibility and the mechanics of forgiveness, see our companion overview of Arizona down payment assistance programs. If you have owned a home before, the ranking still applies — read how repeat buyers qualify for Arizona DPA.

Program facts are attributed to each administrator and agency and reflect what was published as of July 2026. Percentages, income limits, and availability change periodically, and not all borrowers qualify. Nothing here is a commitment to lend or a quote of any rate, APR, or payment — contact a licensed loan officer for terms current to your situation.

The best Arizona DPA programs, ranked

1

HOME Plus

Arizona Industrial Development Authority (Arizona IDA)

Assistance amount
Up to 4% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs, with forgivable and non-forgivable options
How it's structured
Forgivable option: no interest and no monthly payment, forgiven in full after 60 months, repaid in full on a sale or refinance before then. Non-forgivable option: repaid
Min FICO
Must clear the program minimum and the first-mortgage standard; lender overlays can apply, so we confirm it when we pull credit
First-time required?
Not required — open to repeat buyers
Income
One statewide limit on borrower income, $155,386 for 2026, the same in every county and not adjusted for household size
Where it applies
Statewide — all 15 Arizona counties

Best for: Best overall for the widest range of Arizona buyers — any county, any of the four main loan types, first-time or repeat.

Watch-out: Arizona IDA sets the first-mortgage rate, and it may be slightly higher than on a loan without assistance. Selling or refinancing within 60 months means repaying the forgivable second in full, with no exceptions. Limits change periodically, so confirm current figures first.

See if I qualify for HOME Plus

Source: homeplusaz.com (Arizona IDA)

Not sure which program fits? Take the 60-second eligibility check.

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2

Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution (PTHS)

Industrial Development Authority of Pima County / City of Tucson

Assistance amount
3%–5% of the note amount
How it's structured
Forgivable second lien with no monthly payment while the home stays your residence; the program documents set how and when it is forgiven
Min FICO
640
First-time required?
Not required
Income
Up to $146,503 on the above-80%-AMI FHA/VA/USDA/HFA conventional tier; lower tiers vary
Where it applies
Pima County, including Tucson

Best for: Best for Pima County and Tucson buyers who want a locally run program to weigh against HOME Plus and expect to stay in the home.

Watch-out: Pima County only — it does nothing for a Maricopa or Yavapai purchase. Get the current forgiveness terms in writing first, because selling or refinancing before forgiveness is complete can leave a balance to repay.

See if I qualify for Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution (PTHS)

Source: Pima County / Tucson IDA

3

Elevate DPA Grant

Orion Lending (available to Arizona buyers)

Assistance amount
Up to 3.5% on FHA; up to 3% on conventional
How it's structured
A true grant — nothing to forgive and nothing to repay, ever
Min FICO
620 (conventional) / 640 (FHA)
First-time required?
Not required
Income
160% of area median income, with exceptions for teachers, veterans, first responders, medical workers, and civil servants
Where it applies
Available statewide in Arizona

Best for: Best for higher earners who exceed the HOME Plus limit, buyers who want money that never has to be repaid, and lower-credit conventional buyers (down to 620).

Watch-out: The grant percentage is smaller than HOME Plus or PTHS, and it pairs only with FHA or conventional financing. Terms are set by the loan investor and can change.

See if I qualify for Elevate DPA Grant

Source: HUD — buying a home

4

PTHS Edge

Industrial Development Authority of Pima County / City of Tucson

Assistance amount
3%–5% assistance plus an optional first-mortgage rate buydown
How it's structured
Forgivable second lien paired with an optional first-mortgage rate buydown
Min FICO
640
First-time required?
Not required
Income
Up to $146,503 on the above-80%-AMI FHA/VA/USDA/HFA conventional tier; lower tiers vary
Where it applies
Pima County, including Tucson

Best for: Best for Pima County buyers focused on the monthly payment, since the optional buydown targets the first-mortgage rate as well as cash to close. Compare the APR against standard PTHS.

Watch-out: Pima County only, and whether a rate buydown makes sense depends on how the numbers pencil out for your loan. Compare it head-to-head with standard PTHS.

See if I qualify for PTHS Edge

Source: Pima County / Tucson IDA

5

Pima Tucson Lighthouse

Industrial Development Authority of Pima County / City of Tucson

Assistance amount
4% of the note amount
How it's structured
Forgivable second lien with no monthly payment
Min FICO
640
First-time required?
Required
Income
Household-size based (non-targeted tiers apply)
Where it applies
Pima County, including Tucson

Best for: Best for first-time Pima County buyers using FHA, VA, or USDA financing, during periods when the program has funding open.

Watch-out: Funding availability varies and the program has reportedly cycled between fully committed and open — confirm current status directly before counting on it. It is the only program here that requires first-time buyer status.

Funding availability varies; confirm current status with the administrator or an approved lender before planning around it.

See if I qualify for Pima Tucson Lighthouse

Source: Pima County / Tucson IDA

Arizona DPA programs compared

The ranked programs at a glance. Amounts are the published maximums; the exact figure depends on your loan and program tier.

#ProgramAssistanceStructureMin FICOFirst-Time?Area
1HOME PlusUp to 4%Forgiven after 60 months, or non-forgivableSet by program + lenderNoStatewide
2Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s SolutionUp to 5%Forgivable; program-set terms640NoPima
3Elevate DPA GrantUp to 3.5%Grant (never repaid)620NoStatewide
4PTHS EdgeUp to 5% + rate buydownForgivable + rate buydown640NoPima
5Pima Tucson Lighthouse4%Forgivable640YesPima

Program terms, income limits, and availability change periodically — verify current details before you rely on them. Check your eligibility to see which programs fit, or estimate your assistance.

Not sure which program fits? Take the 60-second eligibility check.

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How to choose the right Arizona DPA program

1

Start with your county

If you are buying anywhere in Arizona, HOME Plus is on the table. If you are buying in Pima County or Tucson, add the local Pima Tucson programs to your shortlist — they are the only ones that can layer on that local benefit.

2

Match the program to your credit

Ask which minimum applies to your loan type before you shortlist anything: HOME Plus layers its program minimum on the first-mortgage standard, and the Pima Tucson programs list 640. If you fall short, look first at a grant option such as Elevate (down to 620 on conventional) or an FHA-based structure, and ask a loan officer what is realistic today.

3

Weigh assistance amount against the rate

Arizona IDA sets the HOME Plus first-mortgage rate, and it may be slightly higher than a loan without assistance. If you plan to stay a long time, the rate may matter more than the size of the check; if cash to close is the barrier, the assistance can be worth it. Compare APRs either way.

4

Think about how long you will stay

The HOME Plus forgivable option is forgiven in full only after 60 months; sell or refinance before then and you repay all of it. The Pima Tucson options follow their own program terms, so ask for them in writing. If you might move within five years, compare what could still be owed under each, or consider an outright grant.

5

Check income and first-time status last

Most Arizona programs do not require first-time status, so repeat buyers still qualify. If your income is above the HOME Plus limit, a grant program with a higher income ceiling — or one with essential-worker exceptions — may still fit.

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Best Arizona DPA programs: frequently asked questions

What is the best down payment assistance program in Arizona?

For most Arizona buyers, HOME Plus from the Arizona Industrial Development Authority is the best down payment assistance program because it is available statewide in all 15 counties, works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans, does not require first-time buyer status, and provides up to 4% of the loan amount, with a forgivable option that is forgiven in full after 60 months. Buyers in Pima County and Tucson also have strong local options, and higher earners can look at grant programs like Elevate.

Which Arizona DPA program gives the most assistance?

HOME Plus provides up to 4% of the first-mortgage amount anywhere in Arizona. The Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution figures its assistance on the note under its own percentages, so Pima County buyers should get both quotes side by side. Because each amount is a percentage, a larger loan produces more assistance. Arizona IDA sets the HOME Plus first-mortgage rate, which may be slightly higher than a loan without assistance, so compare APRs too.

What Arizona down payment assistance is best for a low credit score?

Among the programs on this page, the Elevate grant has the lowest published minimum at 620 on conventional financing, and the Pima Tucson programs list 640. HOME Plus has its own program minimum on top of the first-mortgage standard, and lenders can add overlays, so ask for the current figure for your loan type. If your score falls short, a grant option or an FHA-based structure is usually the place to start, and a licensed loan officer can tell you what you qualify for today.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get Arizona DPA?

No. HOME Plus, the Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution, PTHS Edge, and the Elevate grant are all open to repeat buyers, not just first-timers. The only program ranked here that requires first-time status is Pima Tucson Lighthouse. If you have owned before, you still have several strong Arizona options.

Which Arizona DPA program is best for Tucson and Pima County buyers?

Pima County and Tucson buyers get the widest choice in the state. They can weigh the statewide HOME Plus program against the local Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution and PTHS Edge, which adds an optional rate buydown, plus the first-time-only Lighthouse program. Each one sets its own forgiveness terms, so compare them in writing. The right pick depends on your credit, income, and how long you plan to stay.

What is a forgivable second lien and do I have to pay it back?

A forgivable second lien is down payment assistance structured as a second mortgage that is forgiven under the program’s rules and does not require monthly payments. HOME Plus forgives its forgivable second all at once after 60 months; nothing is forgiven before then, so selling or refinancing within the first 60 months means repaying it in full. HOME Plus also has a non-forgivable option. The Pima Tucson programs follow their own forgiveness terms, which a loan officer can confirm before you commit. Grants such as Elevate never have to be repaid at all.

How much money do I need to qualify for Arizona down payment assistance?

Down payment assistance is designed for buyers with limited savings, so many Arizona buyers close with little out of pocket beyond an earnest deposit and, depending on the program and loan type, minimal borrower funds. You still need to meet the program’s credit and income rules and cover items assistance does not, such as certain reserves or inspections. A pre-approval will show your specific numbers.

Are these Arizona DPA programs still funded?

Arizona IDA says HOME Plus is available all year and does not deplete its funding, while local and grant programs open and close funding periodically. Pima Tucson Lighthouse in particular has reportedly cycled between fully committed and available. Program percentages, income limits, and availability all change over time — HOME Plus raised its income limit in 2026 — so confirm current status with the administrator or an approved lender before you build a plan around any single program.

Keep reading

Arizona DPA Programs (2026 Guide)The full reference on how every Arizona program works.HOME Plus Income Limits (2026)The current statewide income limit and how it is applied.Arizona DPA for Repeat BuyersWhy you do not have to be a first-time buyer to qualify.HOME Plus vs. Pima Tucson DPAA side-by-side on the state's two largest programs.

Find your best-fit Arizona DPA program

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