Arizona Down Payment Assistance Programs 2026: Home Plus, Home in Five & More

Arizona down payment assistance programs in 2026 range from up to 4% statewide through Home Plus to up to $50,000 or 20% of the contract sales price, whichever is less, through the City of Tucson program (City of Tucson fact sheet, updated June 2026). Some are forgivable, meaning you do not repay the money if you keep the loan long enough. For the current side by side numbers, see our Arizona down payment assistance guide and Arizona first time home buyer guide.

Here is a plain English breakdown of the main 2026 programs, statewide and in Maricopa County, so you can compare them against a traditional loan with Pillar Mortgage Group.

Home Plus AZ: Arizona's Statewide Down Payment Assistance Program

Home Plus AZ is administered by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority and is available to buyers in every ZIP code across the state. The program pairs a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA) with up to 4% in down payment assistance, provided as a 0% interest second mortgage with no monthly payment that is forgiven after 60 months (AzIDA program guide dated April 6, 2026).

On a $350,000 loan, 4% is $14,000 toward your down payment or closing costs. If you keep the loan for 60 months, the assistance is completely forgiven. If you sell or refinance within the first 60 months, the assistance must be repaid (AzIDA).

Eligibility requires a minimum credit score of 620, income of no more than $155,386 (the same in every county as of April 6, 2026), and completion of a home buyer education course by one borrower before closing. The Arizona IDA says Home Plus mortgage rates may be slightly higher than current industry rates (AzIDA), so compare your all in payment with and without the assistance before committing.

Home in Five Advantage: Maricopa County's Most Accessible Program

The Home in Five Advantage program is specific to Maricopa County, covering Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, and surrounding cities, and provides up to 6% in assistance (homein5advantage.com). The assistance is a second loan, not a grant. The Home in Five down payment assistance guidelines dated June 10, 2026 list four structures: a 3 year forgivable second (FHA and VA first loans only), a 7 year forgivable second (first time buyers only), a 30 year deferred second of up to 5% (conventional HFA loans only), and a 10 year second at 6% interest with its own monthly payment. Any balance still owed is due if you sell, transfer, or refinance, and none of the seconds can be subordinated (Home in Five DPA guidelines, June 10, 2026). The program's lender page says the 7 year forgivable option paired with a 30 year first mortgage has been fully utilized (Home in Five lender resources).

The minimum credit score is 640, income can be up to $153,440, debt to income can go up to 50%, and the program sets no purchase price limit. Buyers complete an 8 hour homebuyer education course through an Arizona HUD approved housing counseling agency.

Home in Five Platinum: Currently Out of Funds

Home in Five Platinum is a separate Maricopa County bond program. Its current program guide, revised March 26, 2026, states "Program Fully Originated. No Remaining Funding." (Home in Five Platinum 2025B guide). Check with us before planning around it.

City of Phoenix Down Payment Assistance

The City of Phoenix offers its own down payment assistance for buyers whose household income is at or below 80% of the area median income. Because program details and availability change, check the City of Phoenix homeownership page for current terms before planning around this program.

Tucson and Pima County: Up to $50,000 or 20%

The City of Tucson's Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $50,000 or 20% of the contract sales price, whichever is less. It is a deferred loan at 2% interest with no monthly payments; the accrued interest is forgiven after the affordability period, but the principal is repaid when you sell. Buyers must complete HUD certified counseling before signing a purchase contract, contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds, keep two months of mortgage payments in reserve, and earn at or below 80% of area median income, and the purchase price is capped at $304,000 for existing homes and $345,000 for new construction (City of Tucson fact sheet, updated June 2026).

The Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution (PTHS) program covers Pima County, including the City of Tucson, with a 0% interest, 30 year forgivable second mortgage, assistance tiers of up to 5% depending on the loan product, and no first time buyer requirement (PTHS program highlights).

How Down Payment Assistance Works in Practice

To use a down payment assistance program, you typically need to work with an approved lender enrolled in that specific program. As a mortgage broker, Pillar Mortgage Group can compare the all in cost of a DPA loan against a traditional FHA, conventional, VA, or USDA loan. You can browse current Arizona listings at Arizona Luxury Property Search while exploring which program fits your purchase goals, and see what's trending at Homes.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best down payment assistance program in Arizona in 2026?

For buyers anywhere in Arizona, Home Plus AZ offers up to 4% statewide with a 620 minimum credit score. For Maricopa County buyers, the Home in Five Advantage program offers up to 6% with a 640 minimum credit score. Blake's take: for most buyers a traditional low down payment loan beats any DPA program on monthly payment, and eligible veterans should start with a VA loan, which can require zero down payment.

Do you have to be a first-time buyer to qualify for Arizona down payment assistance?

Not always. Home Plus has no first time buyer requirement (AzIDA program guide, April 6, 2026). In the Home in Five Advantage guidelines dated June 10, 2026, only the 7 year forgivable option requires a first time buyer. PTHS in Pima County has no first time buyer requirement. Most programs require that the home be your primary residence and that you meet income limits.

Is Arizona down payment assistance forgivable?

Some of it is. Home Plus AZ forgives its second mortgage after 60 months, and it must be repaid if you sell or refinance before then. Home in Five's 3 and 7 year options are forgiven a little each month over 36 or 84 months, its 30 year option is deferred until maturity, and its 10 year option is a 6% loan with no forgiveness (Home in Five DPA guidelines, June 10, 2026).

Can I combine down payment assistance with an FHA loan in Arizona?

Yes. Home Plus AZ explicitly allows the assistance to be paired with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans. A buyer using an FHA loan could use the Home Plus program to cover the 3.5% down payment and potentially reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs at closing, subject to program income and credit limits.

Pillar Mortgage Group is a Scottsdale-based mortgage brokerage specializing in helping Arizona buyers navigate every type of loan scenario, from conventional and FHA to DSCR and bank statement loans. Ready to start your search? Browse current listings at Arizona Luxury Property Search.

Visit pillarmortgagegroup.com to learn more or get started today.

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