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Arizona Industrial Development Authority

AZIDA HOME+PLUS DPA

Up to 5% forgivable DPA — forgiven after 3 years of occupancy.

Status: ActiveLast verified: August 2026

Accepting new reservations as of our last check.

Official AZIDA program page

Assistance amount

Up to $25,000 (about 5%)

Structure

Forgivable loan — erased over time

Where it works

Arizona statewide

First-time buyer required

No — repeat buyers qualify

Minimum credit score

640

Funding status

Active · verified August 2026

Program overview

Home Plus is Arizona's statewide down payment assistance program, run by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority. You take a Home Plus first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional) through a participating lender, and the program layers assistance on top — typically 3% to 5% of the loan amount — structured as a second lien that is forgiven after three years of living in the home. There is no first-time buyer requirement, which makes Arizona unusually flexible: if you owned a home years ago, you can still use it.

Best for: Arizona buyers who need both a competitive first mortgage and 3–5% toward the down payment.

Who qualifies

  • First-time buyer rule: There is no first-time buyer requirement, so repeat buyers can use it.
  • Credit score: Most Home Plus options start at a 640 credit score. Some conventional options want 660 or higher, and the assistance percentage you qualify for can rise or fall with your score.
  • Income limits: Home Plus uses a household income cap that is generous compared to most state programs, and it is applied to the borrowers on the loan. The cap is updated annually, so confirm the current figure with your lender before you shop.
  • Purchase price limit: The home cannot exceed roughly $500,000.
  • Occupancy: You must live in the home as your primary residence. Investment properties and second homes are not eligible.
  • Eligible loans: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
  • Homebuyer education: Required before closing. Start it early — certificates take days to issue.

Do you pay it back?

Forgiven monthly over 3 years

Forgiveness runs 36 months. Put the completion date on your calendar — leaving one month early can cost you the entire unforgiven balance.

Check whether you qualify for AZIDA HOME+PLUS DPA

The Finder compares your income, household size, credit band, county, and job to this program's published rules and tells you roughly what it is worth in dollars.

Launch the DPA FinderCalculate My Readiness

Advantages

  • No first-time buyer requirement — repeat buyers qualify.
  • Assistance is forgiven after three years of occupancy, with no payment in the meantime.
  • Works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional first mortgages.
  • Available statewide, in every Arizona county.

Things to consider

  • The Home Plus first mortgage rate is usually slightly above market — you are trading a little rate for the cash.
  • You must use a participating lender; not every loan officer is approved.
  • Sell or refinance inside three years and you repay the unforgiven balance.
  • Assistance percentages change with rate sheets, so the amount you were quoted last month may differ today.

How to apply

  1. Confirm your household income against the current limit for your county and household size.
  2. Find a lender approved by AZIDA. You cannot use just any lender — the agency maintains a participating list.
  3. Get pre-approved on the first mortgage the program requires.
  4. Complete the homebuyer education course. Do this early; certificates take days to issue.
  5. Write the offer with the assistance disclosed and a realistic closing timeline.
Apply through the official agency site

Ask RED: “Explain AZIDA HOME+PLUS DPA to me in plain English.”

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Pairing it with a loan

FHA + assistanceConventional + assistanceVA + assistanceUSDA + assistance

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay AZIDA HOME+PLUS DPA back?

Forgiven monthly over 3 years

How much money does AZIDA HOME+PLUS DPA provide?

Up to $25,000 (about 5%). The exact figure depends on your loan amount, the option your lender selects, and the funding available at the time you reserve.

What credit score do I need for AZIDA HOME+PLUS DPA?

Most Home Plus options start at a 640 credit score. Some conventional options want 660 or higher, and the assistance percentage you qualify for can rise or fall with your score.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to use AZIDA HOME+PLUS DPA?

No. AZIDA HOME+PLUS DPA does not require you to be a first-time buyer, which makes it usable by repeat buyers who have sold a previous home.

Which loans can I use with AZIDA HOME+PLUS DPA?

FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional. The first mortgage has to come from a lender approved by AZIDA — you cannot bring your own lender and add the assistance to it.

What are the income limits for AZIDA HOME+PLUS DPA?

Home Plus uses a household income cap that is generous compared to most state programs, and it is applied to the borrowers on the loan. The cap is updated annually, so confirm the current figure with your lender before you shop.

Do I have to live in the home?

You must live in the home as your primary residence. Investment properties and second homes are not eligible.

What credit score do I need for down payment assistance?

Most programs start at 620, some FHA-based programs go to 640, and a handful of manually underwritten paths accept 580. A higher score usually unlocks a larger assistance tier and a better interest rate.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer?

Usually, but 'first-time buyer' almost always means you have not owned a home in the last three years — not that you have never owned one. Some programs waive it entirely for veterans, for buyers in targeted areas, or for certain professions.

Other programs Arizona buyers can use

Home in Five Advantage

Forgivable

Home in Five · Maricopa County, AZ

Up to $30,000 (about 5%)

Up to 5% of the loan amount in forgivable assistance for buyers purchasing anywhere in Maricopa County, with a bonus for qualified professionals and veterans.

Program details

Chenoa Fund Down Payment Assistance

Forgivable

Chenoa Fund · Nationwide

Up to $25,000 (about 5%)

A nationwide 3.5% or 5% second mortgage that covers the entire FHA down payment, available in nearly every state.

Program details

Related resources

ReadinessIQ is a Homebuyer Readiness Platform, not the agency that funds these programs. We publish what the agencies publish, link to the official source, and tell you when a rule is likely to change. The agency and your lender make the final call on who qualifies.