Arizona DPA

Arizona Down Payment Assistance Programs (2026 Guide)

Arizona down payment assistance (DPA) is money that helps home buyers cover the down payment and closing costs, delivered mainly as a forgivable second mortgage or a grant. The largest program, HOME Plus from the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, provides up to 4% of the loan amount statewide with no first-time buyer requirement, and Pima County buyers have additional local options on top of it.

Published July 9, 2026Updated July 9, 2026By the Cook Brothers Mortgage Team
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How down payment assistance works in Arizona

For most Arizona buyers, the down payment is the single biggest barrier to homeownership. Down payment assistance closes that gap by pairing a normal first mortgage with a second source of funds that covers some or all of what you would otherwise bring to closing. In Arizona, that second source is usually a forgivable second lien, which can be wiped out entirely if you keep the home long enough. HOME Plus, for example, forgives its forgivable second in full after 60 months.

The programs on this page fall into two buckets. Statewide programs like HOME Plus are available in every Arizona county, from the Phoenix metro to rural communities. Local programs, such as the Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution, are limited to a specific county but often layer additional benefits on top for the buyers who qualify. A licensed loan officer can tell you which combination gives you the most help for the loan type you choose — FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional.

Assistance is calculated as a percentage of your loan amount, so it scales with the home you buy. HOME Plus tops out at 4% of the first mortgage, so the dollar amount rises with the loan you take. Because the money is structured as forgivable, you are not adding a permanent monthly payment the way a traditional second mortgage would.

A note on the programs below: the forgiveness terms describe the down payment assistance second lien only, not your first mortgage, which is a separate loan with its own rate and APR. Some programs offer an optional rate buydown; whether one applies depends on the program and your qualification. Nothing here is a commitment to lend — contact us for current rates and APR. Programs, terms, and availability are subject to change without notice, and not all borrowers will qualify.

Statewide Arizona DPA programs

HOME Plus

Arizona Industrial Development Authority (Arizona IDA)

Max DPA
Up to 4% of the loan amount
Min FICO
The program minimum plus the first mortgage’s standard; a lender may require more, and we confirm the current figure at credit review
First-Time Required?
Not required — open to repeat buyers
Income Limit
$155,386 of borrower income (2026), the same in every county
Repayment
Two options: a forgivable second lien with no interest or monthly payment, forgiven in full after 60 months (repaid if you sell or refinance sooner), or a non-forgivable second that is repaid
Where It Applies
Statewide — all 15 Arizona counties
Loan Types
FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional
  • Arizona’s flagship, statewide program
  • Assistance of up to 4% of the loan, with Arizona IDA setting the first-mortgage rate
  • The forgivable option is wiped out in full at the 60-month mark
  • No first-time buyer requirement

Pima County & Tucson programs

Buyers in Pima County and Tucson get the widest choice in the state, because the local Industrial Development Authority runs its own assistance alongside statewide HOME Plus. For a deeper, Tucson-specific breakdown of these local programs, see our sister guide at tucsondownpaymentassistance.com.

Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution (PTHS)

Industrial Development Authority of Pima County / City of Tucson

Max DPA
3%–5% of the note amount
Min FICO
640
First-Time Required?
Not required
Income Limit
Up to $146,503 on the above-80%-AMI FHA/VA/USDA tier
Repayment
Forgivable second lien with no monthly payment; the forgiveness terms are set by the Pima County program and shown in your loan documents
Where It Applies
Pima County, including Tucson
Loan Types
FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional
  • Built specifically for Pima County and Tucson buyers
  • Its own forgiveness terms, which we confirm in writing before you commit
  • Layer-able with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional financing
  • No first-time buyer requirement

PTHS Edge

Industrial Development Authority of Pima County / City of Tucson

Max DPA
3%–5% assistance plus an optional rate buydown
Min FICO
640
First-Time Required?
Not required
Income Limit
Up to $146,503 on the above-80%-AMI FHA/VA/USDA tier
Repayment
Forgivable second lien paired with an optional first-mortgage rate buydown
Where It Applies
Pima County, including Tucson
Loan Types
FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional
  • Everything in standard PTHS, plus an optional first-mortgage rate buydown
  • A rate buydown can be built into the structure
  • Can reduce the first-mortgage payment as well as cash to close; compare the APRs
  • Pima County / Tucson only

Pima Tucson Lighthouse

Industrial Development Authority of Pima County / City of Tucson

Max DPA
4% of the note amount
Min FICO
640
First-Time Required?
Required
Income Limit
Household-size based (non-targeted tiers apply)
Repayment
Forgivable second lien with no monthly payment
Where It Applies
Pima County, including Tucson
Loan Types
FHA, VA, and USDA
  • 4% of the note with no monthly payment on the assistance
  • First-time buyer program for government loans

Currently fully utilized — not accepting new reservations. Confirm current availability before planning around it.

Additional grant options for Arizona buyers

When a buyer sits above the HOME Plus income limit or wants assistance that never has to be repaid, a grant program can be the better fit. Elevate is popular with Arizona’s essential workers because its income rules bend for teachers, veterans, first responders, medical staff, and civil servants.

Elevate DPA Grant

Orion Lending (available to Arizona buyers)

Max DPA
Up to 3.5% on FHA; up to 3% on conventional
Min FICO
620 (conventional) / 640 (FHA)
First-Time Required?
Not required
Income Limit
160% of area median income, with exceptions for teachers, veterans, first responders, medical workers, and civil servants
Repayment
True grant — never has to be repaid
Where It Applies
Available statewide in Arizona
Loan Types
FHA and Conventional
  • A grant, not a lien — nothing to forgive or repay
  • Income exceptions reward Arizona’s essential-worker "heroes"
  • Useful when a buyer is over the HOME Plus income limit
  • No first-time buyer requirement

Quick comparison

The major Arizona down payment assistance programs at a glance.

ProgramProviderMin FICOFirst-Time?Max DPARepayment
HOME PlusArizona IDAConfirmed at credit reviewNoUp to 4%Forgiven after 60 months, or non-forgivable
Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s SolutionPima County / Tucson IDA640NoUp to 5%Forgivable; terms set by program
PTHS EdgePima County / Tucson IDA640NoUp to 5% + rate buydownForgivable; terms set by program
Pima Tucson LighthousePima County / Tucson IDA640Yes4%Forgivable (fully utilized)
Elevate DPA GrantOrion Lending620NoUp to 3.5%Grant (never repaid)

Want these ranked by best fit? See our guide to the best Arizona down payment assistance programs. Program terms, income limits, and availability change periodically — verify current details for your situation before you rely on them. Check your eligibility to see which programs fit, or estimate your assistance.

How to get Arizona down payment assistance

  1. 1

    Check your eligibility

    Take the free 60-second eligibility quiz. It looks at your credit, income, county, and buyer status to shortlist the Arizona programs you likely qualify for.

  2. 2

    Get pre-approved with DPA layered in

    We pair a first mortgage with the assistance program that gives you the most help, and issue a pre-approval that shows Arizona sellers you are ready to buy.

  3. 3

    Choose your program and loan type

    Compare HOME Plus against any local Pima Tucson options and pick the combination of assistance amount, forgiveness window, and loan type that fits your plans.

  4. 4

    Complete homebuyer education and close

    Finish the required homebuyer education course, then close on your home and receive the assistance at closing. On the HOME Plus forgivable option, the full balance is forgiven once 60 months have passed.

Arizona DPA frequently asked questions

What is down payment assistance in Arizona?

Down payment assistance (DPA) in Arizona is money a home buyer can use toward the down payment and closing costs, delivered mainly as a forgivable second mortgage or a grant. The largest source is HOME Plus, funded through the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, which provides up to 4% of the loan amount statewide. Pima County and Tucson buyers have additional local options.

How much down payment assistance can I get in Arizona?

HOME Plus provides up to 4% of the first-mortgage amount, so the dollar figure grows with the size of your loan. Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution figures its assistance on the note under its own percentages, so Pima County buyers should compare the two in writing.

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

No. HOME Plus and Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution are both open to repeat buyers, not just first-timers. The only Arizona program on this page that requires first-time status is Pima Tucson Lighthouse, and it is currently fully utilized.

What credit score do I need for Arizona down payment assistance?

HOME Plus requires a score that meets its program minimum and the standard for the first mortgage you pair it with, and a lender can set a higher bar; we confirm the current figure for your loan type when we review your credit. The Pima Tucson options list a 640 minimum. Some grant options such as Elevate can go as low as 620 on conventional financing.

What is the income limit for HOME Plus?

HOME Plus uses a single 2026 income limit of $155,386 (published April 2026) in every Arizona county. It counts the pre-tax income of the borrowers on the loan, as the lender calculates it, not everyone in the household, and it does not change with household size. Pima Tucson programs use their own limits, which reach up to $146,503 on certain tiers. Income limits are updated periodically, so confirm the current figure before you apply.

Do I have to repay Arizona down payment assistance?

It depends on the program. HOME Plus has a forgivable option, with no monthly payment, that is forgiven in full after 60 months but must be repaid in full if you sell or refinance before then, plus a non-forgivable option that is repaid. The Pima Tucson programs set their own forgiveness terms, which a loan officer can walk you through before you choose. Grant options like Elevate never have to be repaid at all.

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

Pima County and Tucson buyers can stack the statewide HOME Plus program against the local Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution and PTHS Edge, which adds an optional rate buydown. Each program has its own forgiveness terms and income test, and the right choice depends on your credit, income, and how long you plan to stay, so it is worth comparing all of them side by side in writing.

Keep reading

Arizona DPA Programs 2026: Complete GuideA deeper walkthrough of every Arizona program and requirement.HOME Plus vs. Pima Tucson DPASide-by-side help choosing between the two main programs.

Looking for something other than down payment assistance? See all our loan programs.

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