The following chart is provided as a summary of the basic qualifying features of the most popular Arizona down payment assistance programs.  These programs are made available to help responsible Arizona home buyers who struggle to save for a down payment buy a home with as little money out of pocket as possible.  Details of each program is provided in the content below.

UPDATED 2024

Program Name	County Served	Minimum Credit Score	Maximum Income Amount
Home Plus	All Counties	640	136,609
Home in Five	Maricopa	640	138,600
Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution	Pima	640	126,351

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HOME PLUS MORTGAGE PROGRAM

The Arizona Home Plus mortgage program has been updated to offer a greater variety of opportunities to Arizona home buyers who need down payment assistance. These expanded options include different down payment amounts, higher maximum loan amounts and income limits, different loan programs and different qualifying criteria.

The Arizona Home Plus home loan program is popular because the funds have been consistently available over the past few years.  As such, many people in Arizona have been able to achieve the pride, stability, freedom and wealth that accompanies home ownership.  The assistance program is structured as a three-year, no interest, no payment, soft second mortgage, forgiven monthly at a rate of 1/36 over the term of the lien.  Once again, the lien is completely forgiven after you stay in the home for three years without refinancing.  This type of lien is sometimes referred to as a silent second mortgage because you do not have to pay interest or make payments.  Money from the Home Plus assistance is combined with government-sponsored mortgage programs and can be used for down payment and/or closing costs equal to as much as 5% of the mortgage loan.

Program Highlights:

• There isn’t a minimum amount that you have to provide to close.  The down payment assistance can potentially cover all of your down payment and closing costs.
• No first time home buyer requirement for most programs.
• The assistance money received is a silent second that has no interest, no payment and is forgiven monthly over the first three years of home ownership.  The lien is completely forgiven after you stay in the home for three years without refinancing.  The purpose of the silent second is to provide stability and ensure the ongoing success of the Home Plus Assistance Program in Arizona.
• Qualified members of the U.S. military (active and Veterans) are eligible for an additional 1% of down payment assistance.
• The money continues to be consistently available.

How to Qualify:

• Maximum income of $136,609 for most programs.  Click here for maximum income information for conventional HFA loans under 80% AMI.
• Maximum debt-to-income of 45% if FICO score is 640 and 50% if FICO score is 680 or above
• See various loan program requirements below

ARIZONA HOME PLUS CONVENTIONAL LOAN PROGRAMS

Conventional loans with down payment assistance can be a great option because unlike some other loan programs, conventional loans allow home buyers to remove the private mortgage insurance (typically on loans with less than 20% down) down the road.

Home Plus Fannie Mae HFA Preferred Loan Program

This program is derived from the Fannie Mae HomeReady program and is one of the Arizona conventional Home Plus loan programs offered. It is offered anywhere in Arizona.

Program Highlights:

• Down payment assistance options between 3% and 5%. You can choose what is best for you based on your loan scenario.
• Minimum FICO score is 640 and 50% if FICO score is 680 or above
• If purchasing a manufactured home, the minimum FICO score is 660
• Maximum debt-to-income of 50%
• Maximum income of $136,609 if over 80% AMI.  Click here for maxium income is below 80% AMI.

Home Plus Freddie Mac HFA Advantage Loan Program

This program is derived from the Freddie Mac Home Possible Advantage program and is the other Arizona conventional Home Plus loan programs offered. It is offered anywhere in Arizona.

Program Highlights:

• Down payment assistance options between 3% and 5%
• Minimum FICO score is 640
• If purchasing a manufactured home, the minimum FICO score is 660
• Maximum debt-to-income of 50%
• Click here for maximum income is below 80% AMI.

ARIZONA HOME PLUS GOVERNMENT LOAN PROGRAMS

Government loan programs with Home Plus down payment assistance can be a great option because they usually have easier qualifying requirements. The three common government loan programs are FHA, USDA and VA.

Home Plus VA & USDA Loan Programs

VA and USDA loans are two popular government loan programs that offer 100% financing. Since there is no down payment requirement, the assistance money from the Home Plus program is instead used to cover closing costs. As such, you can buy your home with little to no money out of pocket.  Home Plus VA and USDA Loan Programs are great Arizona zero down loan programs They are offered anywhere in Arizona.

Program Highlights:

• Down payment assistance of 2% to 5% 
• Minimum FICO score is 640
  
• If purchasing a manufactured home, the minimum FICO score is 660
• Maximum debt-to-income of 45% if FICO score is 640 and 50% if FICO score is 680  
• Maximum income, per program guidelines, of $136,609
• You must also meet the guidelines required to be approved for the VA or USDA loan

Home Plus FHA Loan Program

FHA loans with down payment assistance in Arizona are popular because of their flexibility and other benefits.  They still have many advantages that make them attractive to Arizona first time homebuyers. The Home Plus FHA loan program is offered anywhere in Arizona.

Program Highlights:

• Down payment assistance options of 2%, to 5%. You can choose what is best for you based on your loan scenario
• Minimum FICO score is 640
• If purchasing a manufactured home, the minimum FICO score is 660
• If using an FHA loan with Home Plus, the maximum loan amount depends on the FHA loan limits in your county
• Maximum debt-to-income of 45% if FICO score is 640 and 50% if FICO score is 680
• Maximum income of $136,609

See If You Qualify

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HOME IN FIVE ADVANTAGE

If you are buying a house in Maricopa County and you need help with your down payment and closing costs, you should consider the Home In Five Advantage program.  This program has been very popular and used by home buyers in Phoenix and other parts of Maricopa County for more than eight years.

Simply put, this is a great down payment assistance program.

Program Highlights:

• Assistance for down payment and/or closing offered up to 6%.  An additional 1% is available to qualified Veterans, active duty Military, active Reservists, active National Guard, First Responders and Teachers.
• The assistance money is actually available.  Many down payment assistance programs run out of funds within a short period of time.
• The Home in Five assistance money received is a silent second mortgage that has no interest, no payment, and is forgiven monthly over the first three years of home ownership.  The lien is completely forgiven after you stay in the home for three years without refinancing.  The purpose of the silent second is to provide stability and ensure the ongoing success of the Home in Five down payment assistance program in Arizona.
• You do not have to be a first time home buyer.

How to Qualify:

• Buy a house anywhere in Maricopa County, including in the City of Phoenix with no limit to purchase price outside of guidelines for the mortgage program you choose
• New or existing single family homes, 2 to 4 unit homes, condos, town homes and manufactured homes.
• Qualify for a FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred or Freddie Mac Advantage:
• loan with a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 45% if FICO score is 640 and 680 if you are purchasing a manufactured home
• Minimum FICO score is 640
• If purchasing a manufactured home, the minimum FICO score is 660
• Income from all borrowers may not exceed $138,600
  
• Take a convenient homebuyer education course

See If You Qualify

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PIMA TUCSON HOMEBUYER’S SOLUTION

The Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution helps overcome barriers so you can buy a home in Tucson, Arizona.  The benefits are similar to those offered by the programs listed above and are offered in all of Pima County including the City of Tucson.

There is no purchase price limit to this program other than the maximum amounts of the loan program that you choose.  For example, in 2024, the maximum FHA loan amount in Pima County is $498,257.  Household income cannot exceed $126,351.

A Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution loan is now offered through FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred and the Freddie Mac Advantage loan program.

Program Highlights:

• Down payment assistance options available between 0% and 4%.  You can choose what is best for you based on your loan scenario.
• There is no first time homebuyer requirement.
• Down payment assistance money received through the Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution is a silent second that has no interest, no payment, and is forgiven monthly over the first three years of home ownership.  The lien is completely forgiven after you stay in the home for three years without refinancing.  The purpose of the silent second is to provide stability and ensure the ongoing success of the down payment assistance program in Tucson and all of Pima County.
• The assistance money offered to help you buy a home in Tucson or other parts of Pima County has been consistently available and has continuous funding.
• There are 3-year and 30-year forgivable down payment assistance options.

How to Qualify:

• Qualify for a FHA, VA, USDA or conventional loan with a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 45% (some exceptions apply).
• Minimum FICO score is 640.  Some of the different mortgage programs and down payment amount scenarios may require a higher score.
• Household income cannot exceed $126,351.
• Take a convenient homebuyer education course.

See If You Qualify

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NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM

In the wake of the 2008 mortgage crisis, the federal government took action to help bolster the weakened economy and help fix the housing market.  This included the creation of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.  As the name suggests, this program was formed to stabilize areas that had suffered from foreclosures.

This program includes grant money that has been offered to states, local governments and select non-profit entities.

It was originally created in 2008 as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act.

It was then continued through a second round of funding provided in 2009 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Next, additional funds were authorized under the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010.

Arizona Neighborhood Stabilization Program Information

See If You Qualify

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AMERICAN DREAM DOWNPAYMENT INITIATIVE (ADDI)

ADDI will provide down payment, closing costs, and rehabilitation assistance to eligible individuals. The amount of ADDI assistance provided may not exceed $10,000 or six percent of the purchase price of the home, whichever is greater.  To be eligible for ADDI assistance, individuals must be first-time homebuyers interested in purchasing single family housing. A first-time homebuyer is defined as an individual and his or her spouse who have not owned a home during the three-year period prior to the purchase of a home. ADDI funds may be used to purchase one- to four- family housing, condominium unit, cooperative unit, or manufactured housing. Additionally, individuals who qualify for ADDI assistance must have incomes not exceeding 80% of area median income.

For more information on ADDI, please refer to Title I of the American Dream Downpayment Act (Public Law 108-186, approved December 16, 2003) and the ADDI interim rule at 24 CFR §92.600.

What is ADDI?

The American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) was signed into law by President Bush on December 16, 2003 under the American Dream Downpayment Act (Public Law 108-186) (ADDI statute). Funds made available under the ADDI statute will be allocated to eligible HOME program participating jurisdictions (PJ) to assist low-income families in becoming first-time homebuyers.

How can Arizona First Time Home Buyers apply for ADDI funds?

ADDI will be administered as part of the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) by state and local participating jurisdictions. For more information on ADDI or the HOME program, contact your state or local participating jurisdiction by searching the contact information found here.

You can contact the local participating jurisdiction to confirm available funds and time required to close.

See If You Qualify

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OTHER ASSISTANCE RESOURCES

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