Arizona layers multiple down payment assistance programs at the state, county, and city levels — and the Maricopa County programs available to Phoenix buyers are among the most generous in the Sun Belt. The Home in Five Advantage program provides up to 6% of the loan amount for qualifying professions, the statewide Home Plus program covers up to 5% with a three-year forgiveness window, and the City of Phoenix Open Doors program adds up to $15,000 for lower-income buyers. Here’s every program worth knowing about in 2026.
Statewide Programs
Home Plus Program
The Home Plus program, administered by the Arizona Housing Finance Authority and Arizona Industrial Development Authority, provides up to 5% of the primary loan amount as a three-year, zero-interest, deferred second mortgage. The loan forgives on a monthly basis — 1/36 of the balance each month — meaning the entire amount is forgiven after just three years of homeownership. No monthly payments are required during the forgiveness period.
Eligibility requires a minimum 640 credit score, a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 45%, borrower income up to $146,503 (based on the primary borrower’s income, not household income), and a maximum purchase price of $371,936. The program accepts FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and conventional loans, and it’s available in every Arizona county, city, and zip code. Homebuyer education course completion is required before closing.
The Home Plus Advantage variant provides up to 4% assistance for qualifying applicants under slightly different terms. Both versions are available statewide and represent the broadest-access DPA program in Arizona.
Pathway to Purchase
The Pathway to Purchase program provides up to $20,000 as a zero-interest, fully forgivable second mortgage after five years. The loan is recorded as a silent second mortgage with no monthly payment, and it forgives entirely at the five-year mark. The program targets 17 specific Arizona municipalities that were among the hardest-hit foreclosure markets during the housing crisis, with $6 million in funding distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
For buyers purchasing in one of the 17 targeted municipalities — which include several Phoenix-area communities — the $20,000 flat amount and five-year forgiveness period make Pathway to Purchase one of the most attractive DPA options in the state. Homebuyer education is required before closing, and a minimum 640 credit score applies.
Arizona is Home Program
The Arizona is Home program provided 4% fixed down payment assistance with a below-market, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for buyers in 13 rural Arizona counties. The program temporarily increased income eligibility from 80% to 100% of the Area Median Income in October 2024 to expand access. However, all available funds were expended as of July 9, 2025, and no new funding has been announced for the remainder of 2025. The program does not cover Maricopa or Pima counties and is not available to Phoenix buyers, but it’s worth monitoring for future funding rounds for buyers considering Arizona’s rural communities.
Maricopa County and Phoenix Programs
Home in Five Advantage
The Home in Five Advantage program, administered by the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority, is the primary DPA program for Maricopa County buyers and one of the strongest county-level programs in the Southwest. The base program provides up to 5% of the loan amount as an interest-free, forgivable second mortgage for all eligible borrowers. An additional 1% (total 6%) is available for K-12 teachers, first responders, U.S. military members and veterans, and low-income earners making up to $36,450 annually.
Eligibility requires a minimum 640 credit score, income up to $108,920, and a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 50% — more generous than most programs. The program covers all of Maricopa County, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, and Peoria.
Home in Five Platinum
The Home in Five Platinum program provides up to 4% of the loan amount as a zero-interest, forgivable second mortgage paired with a 30-year fixed-rate loan. The assistance can be used for down payment, closing costs, or prepaid expenses, and it’s available to both first-time and repeat homebuyers in Maricopa County. The slightly lower assistance percentage comes with broader eligibility, making it a strong option for repeat buyers who don’t qualify for first-time buyer programs.
City of Phoenix Open Doors
The City of Phoenix Open Doors program provides up to 10% of the purchase price (maximum $15,000) for first-time homebuyers with household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The program targets Phoenix residents specifically and can be contacted at (602) 262-3111.
For lower-income buyers in Phoenix proper, Open Doors provides substantial assistance — $15,000 covers the entire 3.5% FHA down payment on a home up to approximately $428,000. Combined with Home in Five or Home Plus, a qualifying buyer could potentially stack city and county/state programs for a total assistance package that eliminates virtually all out-of-pocket costs.
Federal Loan Programs in Arizona
FHA Loans
FHA loans require a minimum 3.5% down payment with a credit score of 580 or above (640 through most Arizona DPA programs). Mortgage insurance premiums — 1.75% upfront plus annual premiums — apply, but the low entry barrier pairs naturally with Arizona’s assistance programs. Through Home Plus or Home in Five, the state or county assistance covers the entire FHA down payment requirement.
VA Loans
VA loans provide zero-down financing for veterans and active-duty military with no mortgage insurance. Arizona’s large military presence — Luke Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base — makes VA loans a significant factor in the Phoenix market. Combined with Home in Five’s extra 1% for military buyers (total 6%), VA-eligible buyers can close with substantial closing cost coverage on top of the zero-down mortgage.
USDA Loans
USDA loans offer 100% financing in designated rural and suburban areas. While most of the Phoenix metro core is excluded, portions of the outer Valley — including areas of Pinal County south of the metro — qualify for USDA eligibility with access to Phoenix-area employment.
Credit Union Programs
OneAZ Credit Union WISH Grant
The Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) program through OneAZ Credit Union provides up to $32,099 in down payment and closing cost assistance through a four-to-one matching grant structure. First-time homebuyers with low to moderate incomes who save toward their down payment receive $4 in grant funding for every $1 saved. The WISH program operates statewide and represents one of the largest individual assistance amounts available in Arizona.
Arizona Central Credit Union and Desert Financial
Both Arizona Central Credit Union and Desert Financial Credit Union offer down payment assistance programs with special focus on first responders, community members, and community heroes. These credit union programs often have more flexible qualification criteria than government programs and can be combined with state-level assistance.
Programs for Specific Professions
Arizona provides enhanced assistance for specific professions primarily through the Home in Five Advantage program’s additional 1% tier:
K-12 Teachers receive up to 6% total assistance through Home in Five Advantage. The Teacher Next Door program adds separate grants and assistance that can be stacked with state programs.
First Responders — firefighters, law enforcement, and EMTs — qualify for the 6% Home in Five Advantage tier. The federal Good Neighbor Next Door program offers a 50% discount on HUD-owned homes in revitalization areas for eligible first responders.
Military Members and Veterans access the 6% Home in Five Advantage tier plus VA loan benefits. The combination of VA’s zero down payment, Home in Five’s 6% for closing costs, and the VA funding fee waiver (for disabled veterans) creates one of the most advantageous homebuying packages available in any Arizona program.
How to Apply
The application process varies by program but follows a similar pattern: determine which county and programs you’re eligible for, complete a homebuyer education course, and connect with an approved lender.
For Home Plus (statewide), contact a participating lender through the Arizona Housing Finance Authority network at homeplusaz.com. For Home in Five (Maricopa County), contact the Phoenix IDA at phoenixida.com. For Pathway to Purchase, apply through the Arizona Department of Housing. For the City of Phoenix Open Doors program, call (602) 262-3111.
The key step most buyers miss is the homebuyer education course — it’s required for most programs and must be completed before closing. Starting the course early in the homebuying process prevents delays later.
Stacking for Maximum Benefit
Phoenix buyers have the most layering options. A first-time buyer who is a teacher could potentially combine Home in Five Advantage (6%), the City of Phoenix Open Doors program (up to $15,000), and Teacher Next Door grants — creating a combined package that covers down payment, closing costs, and potentially prepaid expenses. Even without profession-based bonuses, the base Home in Five (5%) plus Open Doors ($15,000) provides substantial combined assistance.
The three-year forgiveness window on Home Plus is particularly aggressive — shorter than most state programs nationally — meaning buyers who plan to stay in their home for at least three years effectively receive the assistance as a grant.
For more on the Phoenix housing market, explore our housing market update and how much house you can afford in Phoenix guide.