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 5% of the loan amount as a forgivable second lien. 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
See Which Program Fits MeEstimate Your Assistance

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 5% of the loan amount, offered in assistance tiers (the amount you take affects your first-mortgage rate)
How it's structured
Forgivable second lien at 0% interest that forgives 1/36 each month and disappears entirely after three years in the home
Min FICO
640 (660 for manufactured homes)
First-time required?
Not required — open to repeat buyers
Income
A single statewide income limit that applies the same in every county (see our HOME Plus income-limit guide for the current 2026 figure)
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: Assistance is tiered, so a bigger DPA percentage typically comes with a slightly higher note rate. The maximum percentage and income limit are updated periodically — the income limit was raised in 2026 — so confirm the current tier and cap before you plan around it.

See if I qualify for HOME Plus

Source: homeplusaz.com (Arizona IDA)

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

Check My Eligibility
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
30-year forgivable second lien at 0% interest — forgiven as long as you stay in the home
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 the longest forgiveness window and plan to stay put.

Watch-out: Pima County only — it does nothing for a Maricopa or Yavapai purchase. Because forgiveness runs 30 years, selling or refinancing early 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
30-year forgivable second lien at 0% interest, structured with an optional rate discount
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 who care most about the monthly payment, because the built-in rate buydown lowers it alongside the cash to close.

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
5-year forgivable second lien at 0% interest
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 who want a shorter, five-year forgiveness period.

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 5% (tiered)3-yr forgivable640NoStatewide
2Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s SolutionUp to 5%30-yr forgivable640NoPima
3Elevate DPA GrantUp to 3.5%Grant (never repaid)620NoStatewide
4PTHS EdgeUp to 5% + rate buydown30-yr forgivable640NoPima
5Pima Tucson Lighthouse4%5-yr 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.

Check My Eligibility

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

A 640 score opens HOME Plus and the Pima Tucson programs. If you are below 640, 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

HOME Plus is tiered, so the largest assistance percentage usually comes with a slightly higher note rate. If you plan to stay a long time, a lower rate may matter more than a bigger check; if cash to close is the barrier, the larger tier can be worth it.

4

Think about how long you will stay

Forgiveness windows range from three years (HOME Plus) to thirty (Pima Tucson). If there is any chance you will sell or refinance early, a shorter window or an outright grant that never has to be repaid can be the safer structure.

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.

Check Your Eligibility

Answer 3 quick questions to see if you qualify

Step 1 of 425%

Have you owned a home in the last 3 years?

Your info is secure and never sold.

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 5% of the loan amount as a forgivable second lien. 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 and the Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution both reach up to 5% of the loan or note amount, which is typically the most assistance available among Arizona programs. Because the amount is a percentage, it scales with the price of the home, so a larger purchase produces more assistance. HOME Plus is offered in tiers, so taking the maximum percentage usually comes with a slightly higher first-mortgage rate.

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, while HOME Plus and the Pima Tucson programs generally require a 640 credit score (660 for manufactured homes). If your score is below 640, 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 offer a 30-year forgiveness window and an optional rate buydown, plus the first-time-only Lighthouse program. 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 gradually forgiven and does not require monthly payments. HOME Plus forgives over three years, and the Pima Tucson programs forgive over five to thirty years. If you stay in the home through the forgiveness period, the balance disappears. Selling or refinancing before the period ends can leave a portion to repay. 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?

Statewide HOME Plus has operated continuously, 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

Take 60 seconds to check your eligibility. We will match your credit, income, county, and buyer status to the Arizona programs you likely qualify for — no cost, no obligation, and no impact to your credit.

Check My Eligibility

Prefer to talk? Call or text (480) 420-4918

Licensed & verifiable on NMLS Consumer AccessTanner Cook, NMLS #2090424 · Zac Cook, NMLS #2111496 · Cornerstone First Mortgage, NMLS #173855
(480) 420-4918Check Eligibility