Arizona keeps things simple with one statewide program that does most of the work: HOME Plus pairs a 30-year mortgage with a forgivable down payment loan, and it is open to first-time and repeat buyers alike in all 15 counties.
This guide covers what is actually available to first-time buyers in Arizona in 2026 — the agency behind these programs, the loans and down payment help on offer, who qualifies, and how to apply. For the wider local picture, see our Arizona first-time home buyer guide.
The HOME Plus and its home loan programs
Arizona’s first-time buyer programs are run by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, through its statewide HOME Plus program. Like most housing finance agencies, it does not lend directly — instead it offers below-market first mortgages, bundled with down payment help, through a network of approved local lenders. Its main first-mortgage options are:
- HOME Plus first mortgage — a 30-year fixed FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loan available statewide
Most of these can be built on top of an FHA, VA, or USDA loan, or a conventional loan, depending on the product you pick — and the real value comes when you pair one with the down payment assistance below.
Down payment assistance in Arizona
Down payment assistance is the heart of what HOME Plus offers, and Arizona gives buyers more than one way to get it. The assistance is a no-payment soft second that is forgiven after five years.
- HOME Plus Down Payment Assistance — forgivable soft second (no interest, no payment; forgiven after 60 months), roughly 4%–5% of the loan amount, with the exact tier depending on your loan type and rate.
If those terms are unfamiliar, our national guide to down payment assistance explains exactly how grants, forgivable second mortgages, and deferred loans differ — and what each one means when you eventually sell or refinance.
How much help could you get?
On a $350,000 home in Arizona, HOME Plus assistance at 5% would provide about $17,500 as a no-interest, no-payment soft second — and after five years (60 months) in the home, it is forgiven entirely. Sell or refinance within those five years and you repay the balance. The exact percentage depends on the loan type and rate you choose, so confirm your tier with a HOME Plus lender.
Who qualifies in Arizona?
Every program sets its own rules, and they change periodically, but the common requirements in Arizona look like this:
- Income limits. HOME Plus uses a single statewide borrower-income cap, updated roughly annually (around $155,000 as of early 2026).
- First-time status. First-time status is not required — the program is open to first-time and repeat buyers (first-time status may apply to the MCC).
- Credit score. A minimum around 640 is typical, varying by loan product. Our guide to credit score requirements covers what moves the needle.
- Homebuyer education. At least one borrower must complete a HUD-approved pre-purchase course before closing.
- Purchase price limits. There is no separate statewide sales-price cap; loan limits govern instead.
Arizona programs worth knowing about
Beyond the standard offerings, Arizona aims extra help at specific buyers and places. Watch for:
- Statewide availability — the program works in all 15 Arizona counties
- Reduced mortgage insurance — on the conventional loan option
Mortgage Credit Certificates in Arizona
HOME Plus offers a Mortgage Credit Certificate option in Arizona. A Mortgage Credit Certificate is a federal tax credit worth a percentage of the mortgage interest you pay every year for the life of the loan, and where it is available it can usually be combined with the assistance above — putting money back in your pocket each tax season.
How to apply for Arizona assistance
- Set your budget first. Our home affordability guide helps you land on a realistic price range before you start shopping.
- Complete a homebuyer education course. Nearly every Arizona program requires one, and it is usually free and available online.
- Find a participating lender. Not every lender originates HOME Plus loans, so ask directly which HOME Plus programs a lender offers and have them run your numbers against a few.
- Get pre-approved and lock in the right program for your income, credit, and target home before you make an offer.
One important note: HOME Plus program funding and terms change from year to year, and some assistance rounds close when the money runs out. Always confirm current amounts and availability directly with HOME Plus before you count on a specific figure. Our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of your process on track.
Arizona first-time buyer programs FAQ
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get assistance in Arizona?
First-time status is not required — the program is open to first-time and repeat buyers (first-time status may apply to the MCC).
What credit score do I need for HOME Plus programs?
A minimum around 640 is typical, varying by loan product. Keep in mind a program’s own minimum can sit above the loan’s floor, so confirm the exact number with your lender.
Can I use Arizona assistance with an FHA, VA, or USDA loan?
Yes. HOME Plus assistance is built to layer on top of a first mortgage, and FHA, VA, and USDA loans are common partners because their own down payment requirements are already low. Your lender structures both pieces so they close together.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to use HOME Plus in Arizona?
No. HOME Plus is open to both first-time and repeat buyers across all 15 Arizona counties — one of the reasons it is the state’s go-to program. You do need to meet the statewide income cap, complete a homebuyer course, and use a participating lender. First-time status may still matter for the separate Mortgage Credit Certificate option. Confirm the current income limit and DPA tier with a HOME Plus lender.
City guides for Arizona
Several Arizona metros run their own local down payment programs on top of the statewide help above. See our city guides for Phoenix.
More Arizona city guides
Buying in a specific Arizona metro? See our first-time buyer guides for Tucson, each covering the city’s own local down payment programs.
Looking specifically for grants in Arizona?
If you want to zero in on grant and forgivable money — the help you do not pay back — see our focused guide to first-time home buyer grants in Arizona.