Arizona is one of the states that offers a genuine grant — the Home in Five program in metro Phoenix provides several percent of the loan you never repay — alongside the forgivable statewide HOME Plus program.
This guide covers what actually counts as grant money for first-time buyers in Arizona in 2026 — the help that does not have to be repaid, the truth about the federal grant everyone asks about, and how to find and qualify for it.
Are there really first-time home buyer grants in Arizona?
Here is the honest answer most sites skip: a true grant is money you never repay, but the majority of what gets marketed as a “first-time home buyer grant” is actually a forgivable loan — a second mortgage that is written off over time as long as you stay in the home. The practical difference is small if you plan to stay put, but it matters if you might sell or refinance early. Arizona is a genuine-grant state: the Home in Five program (Maricopa County/Phoenix) provides a true grant, while the statewide HOME Plus assistance is a forgivable soft second.
For the full difference between grants, forgivable seconds, and deferred loans, our national guide to down payment assistance breaks it down.
Arizona grant and forgivable-money programs
Here is Arizona’s grant-like money, including a real grant:
- Home in Five Advantage — a grant of roughly 5–6% of the loan amount — never repaid — from the Maricopa County and Phoenix Industrial Development Authorities, with no first-time requirement and extra help for teachers, first responders, and military
- HOME Plus Down Payment Assistance — the statewide program, a forgivable soft second of roughly 4–5% of the loan, forgiven after 5 years (60 months), available in all 15 counties
- Tucson programs — the Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution offers a forgivable second that can cover up to 100% of your cash to close
This page focuses on the no-repay and forgivable money. For the full menu — including deferred loans, below-market mortgages, and the Mortgage Credit Certificate — see our complete guide to Arizona first-time home buyer programs.
The $25,000 first-time buyer grant — is it real?
You have probably seen ads for a “$25,000 first-time home buyer grant” or a “$15,000 first-time buyer tax credit.” Here is the truth as of 2026: both come from proposed federal bills (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act and the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act) that have not become law. No one can give you that $25,000 federal grant today, in Arizona or anywhere else, because it does not exist yet — so be cautious with any site or “lender” that promises it. We track the real status on our explainer of the $25,000 first-time home buyer grant. The good news: the Arizona programs above are real, available now, and often just as valuable.
How to qualify for a grant in Arizona
Grant and forgivable programs in Arizona share a familiar set of rules:
- Income limits. HOME Plus uses a statewide income cap (around $155,000 as of early 2026); Home in Five allows income up to roughly $153,000.
- First-time status. Neither HOME Plus nor Home in Five requires first-time buyer status, so repeat buyers can often qualify.
- Homebuyer education. Nearly every grant program requires a short course, usually free and often online.
- A participating lender. Grants are delivered through approved lenders, not the agency directly, so ask which programs a lender offers — and check our guide to credit score requirements to be sure you qualify for the underlying loan.
- Primary residence. The home must be the one you live in, not an investment property.
How to find down payment grants in Arizona
In metro Phoenix, Home in Five is a true grant; statewide, HOME Plus is forgivable after five years. Either way, no first-time requirement makes Arizona unusually accessible.
Several Arizona cities also run their own grant and forgivable programs on top of the state help — see our city guides for Phoenix and Tucson.
And before you count on any figure, remember that grant funding runs in cycles and can be exhausted, so always confirm current availability with the program. Our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of your purchase on track.
Arizona first-time buyer grants FAQ
Do first-time home buyer grants in Arizona have to be repaid?
It depends on the program. Arizona’s Home in Five (Phoenix/Maricopa County) is a true grant you never repay. The statewide HOME Plus program is a forgivable soft second, written off after five years. Both are grant-like for buyers who stay, and neither requires first-time status.
Is there a $25,000 grant for first-time buyers in Arizona?
Not currently. The $25,000 figure comes from a proposed federal bill (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act) that has not become law, so it is not available in Arizona or any state today. What is available are Arizona’s real grant and forgivable programs described above, plus the statewide options in our Arizona programs guide.
Who qualifies for down payment grants in Arizona?
Neither HOME Plus nor Home in Five requires first-time buyer status, so repeat buyers can often qualify. HOME Plus uses a statewide income cap (around $155,000 as of early 2026); Home in Five allows income up to roughly $153,000. You will also complete a homebuyer education course and use a participating lender.
Is Arizona’s Home in Five a real grant?
Yes — Home in Five Advantage, offered through the Maricopa County and Phoenix Industrial Development Authorities, provides a grant of roughly 5–6% of the loan amount that you never repay. It has no first-time buyer requirement, allows income up to about $153,000, and offers extra help for teachers, first responders, and military. It applies across Maricopa County, including Phoenix. Confirm the current percentage with a participating lender, since it varies by loan type.