Maricopa County down payment assistance programs can significantly reduce the cash a buyer needs at closing. Buyers in Maricopa County may qualify for city-level assistance of up to $30,000, statewide programs covering up to 5 percent of the loan amount, or county-level HOME Investment Partnership funds, subject to income limits and program availability. Homebuyer education is required for all programs listed here.

Down Payment Assistance in Maricopa County, AZ: What Buyers Need to Know

Maricopa County is home to a layered system of down payment assistance options: city-specific programs in Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Tempe, Chandler, Avondale, Surprise, and Peoria; statewide programs administered by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority (AzIDA); and a county-level HOME program for unincorporated areas. Most require buyers to fall within 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) for city programs or up to 115 percent AMI for statewide assistance. All require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course, and the funds pair with FHA, conventional HomeReady, and Home Possible loans in most cases.

If you are buying anywhere in the greater Phoenix metro, including Queen Creek, Gilbert, Chandler, or San Tan Valley, understanding which programs apply to your specific address is the first step. I work through these options with every buyer during pre-approval to identify which combinations may qualify for their situation.

Why Maricopa County Is Arizona’s Strongest DPA Market

No other county in Arizona offers the same concentration of overlapping assistance programs. The combination of active city-level programs, a well-funded state program through AzIDA, county HOME funds, and the WISH matched-savings program from the Federal Home Loan Bank means that a Maricopa County buyer often has access to multiple funding sources simultaneously.

Maricopa County is the fourth-largest county in the United States by population, with more than 4.5 million residents as of 2024. That scale justifies the administrative infrastructure needed to run multiple DPA programs year-round. Many smaller Arizona counties have intermittent funding; Maricopa programs tend to have more consistent annual allocations.

The county also benefits from strong builder activity and a competitive resale market. Down payment assistance can be the deciding factor for buyers who are income-qualified and creditworthy but short on liquid savings. Arizona home prices in the Phoenix metro have moderated from their 2022 peaks, but median prices still sit above $400,000 in most submarkets, making even a 3.5 percent FHA down payment a meaningful hurdle without assistance.

One important note: program funding is allocated annually and may be exhausted before year end. I recommend buyers get pre-qualified early in the year when program funds are freshest, though programs may reopen or receive additional allocations mid-year, subject to funding availability.

Statewide Programs Available to Maricopa County Buyers

Three statewide programs are available to eligible buyers anywhere in Maricopa County, including incorporated cities. These can sometimes be layered with city programs, subject to lender and program guidelines.

HOME Plus (HOME+PLUS). The Arizona Industrial Development Authority’s flagship assistance program. HOME Plus provides a grant or forgivable second-lien mortgage as low as 0 percent of the loan amount and up to 5 percent, depending on the lender tier and buyer qualifications. Income limits currently sit at 115 percent of AMI, and the program is available on FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional (Fannie Mae HomeReady / Freddie Mac Home Possible) loans. Credit score minimums vary by lender tier. A homebuyer education course is required. For full program details, see the HOME Plus program page at homeplusaz.com.

Pathway to Purchase. Also administered by AzIDA, Pathway to Purchase historically provided down payment assistance to buyers in designated eligible communities. The program’s availability and eligible zip codes change; I verify current status for each buyer’s target area during pre-approval. Visit azida.gov for current program status.

WISH (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership). A matched-savings program offered through Federal Home Loan Bank member institutions. Eligible buyers who save toward their down payment may qualify for a 4-to-1 match, up to a program cap, subject to income limits and participating lender enrollment. WISH is available through select lenders and is not universally offered. Ask whether your lender participates before counting on this option.

For a deeper walkthrough of all three programs, see my Arizona down payment assistance guide, which covers income limits, purchase price caps, and how each program pairs with different loan types.

City of Phoenix Homebuyer Assistance Program

The City of Phoenix operates one of the most generous city-level DPA programs in the state. Eligible buyers purchasing a home within Phoenix city limits may qualify for up to $30,000 in assistance, subject to income limits and program guidelines. Funding is provided as a deferred-payment loan, meaning no monthly payments are due during the ownership period, and repayment is typically triggered by sale, refinance, or transfer of the property.

Key eligibility criteria:

• Property must be located within Phoenix city limits (not just a Phoenix mailing address)
• Household income must fall at or below 80 percent of AMI, subject to family size
• Buyer must complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course
• Property must be a primary residence
• Buyer must contribute a minimum amount of their own funds, subject to program terms

The Phoenix program pairs with FHA financing and, in some cases, conventional loans. Because the program targets 80 percent AMI households, buyers with higher incomes may not qualify but should still check the current AMI table, which the city updates periodically. For official program details and current income limits, visit phoenix.gov/housing.

An illustrative example: a buyer purchasing a $350,000 home in Phoenix with a 3.5 percent FHA down payment would need approximately $12,250 for the down payment alone. Phoenix HAP assistance of up to $30,000 could cover the full down payment and a portion of closing costs, subject to qualification and program availability at the time of application.

City of Mesa Homebuyer Assistance Program

Mesa operates a homebuyer assistance program with a structure similar to Phoenix’s, focused on income-qualified buyers purchasing within Mesa city limits. The program is funded through federal HOME Investment Partnerships Act (HOME) dollars administered at the city level.

Key features:

• Must purchase a property with a Mesa address within Mesa city limits
• Income limits follow HUD’s 80 percent AMI guidelines for Maricopa County
• Assistance is typically structured as a soft second mortgage or deferred loan
• HUD-approved homebuyer education required
• Owner-occupancy required for the term of the assistance

Mesa’s program availability and funding levels fluctuate year over year. I check program status for Mesa buyers during pre-approval and coordinate the application timeline with the buyer’s offer process. The Mesa program works well paired with FHA financing because the income limits and property requirements align closely.

Buyers planning to purchase in Mesa should budget for the homebuyer education course early, as some programs require course completion before submitting a DPA application. Courses are available online through HUD-approved providers.

Other Maricopa County Cities With DPA Programs

Several additional cities in Maricopa County operate their own homebuyer assistance programs. Funding levels, income limits, and program structures vary by city and year. Here is a brief summary of each.

Glendale. The City of Glendale has offered homebuyer assistance through HOME funds in prior years, typically targeting buyers at or below 80 percent AMI purchasing within Glendale city limits. Program funding and availability vary annually. Buyers should verify current program status directly with Glendale’s Community Development office, as funds may be paused or exhausted.

Tempe. Tempe has historically offered down payment assistance and rehabilitation programs for income-qualified buyers in the city. Given Tempe’s higher median home prices and smaller geographic footprint, program funds can move quickly. Buyers targeting Tempe addresses should check availability early in the process, subject to program funding at the time of application.

Chandler. Chandler’s homebuyer assistance program has offered deferred-loan assistance to qualifying buyers. The program is administered through Chandler’s Neighborhood Resources department. Income eligibility follows 80 percent AMI guidelines. Chandler buyers looking to stack city and state assistance should coordinate timelines carefully, as city and state programs have different application processes. For details on FHA financing in Chandler, see my FHA loans Chandler, AZ guide.

Avondale. Avondale has offered assistance through the city’s Community Development program, funded in part by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars. The program targets lower-income households purchasing within Avondale city limits. Availability is subject to annual funding and program reauthorization.

Surprise. The City of Surprise has offered down payment assistance for income-qualified buyers in prior program years. Surprise is a growing market in the northwest Valley, and the city periodically activates and pauses DPA programs based on federal funding cycles. Buyers targeting Surprise addresses should confirm current program status.

Peoria. Peoria’s homebuyer programs have historically focused on owner-occupied purchases within city limits for households at or below 80 percent AMI. Like most city programs, Peoria’s assistance is funded through federal HOME and CDBG allocations and is subject to annual appropriations.

For all city programs: because funding and program rules change annually, I always verify current availability at the start of the pre-approval process. Do not assume a program that existed last year is still active or funded when you are ready to buy.

Want to know which Maricopa County DPA programs you may qualify for?

I will review your income, credit, and target city, then walk you through which assistance programs fit your purchase. No obligation, no pressure.

Call (480) 250-0158 or start your application online

Maricopa County HOME Investment Partnership Program

Buyers purchasing in unincorporated Maricopa County or in cities that do not operate their own independent DPA program may qualify for assistance through the Maricopa County HOME Investment Partnership Program. This county-administered program uses federal HOME funds to help income-qualified buyers bridge the gap between their savings and the down payment and closing costs required to purchase.

Who the county program serves. The county program is designed for buyers in areas that fall within Maricopa County jurisdiction but outside the city limits of municipalities with their own programs. For example, buyers purchasing in portions of unincorporated Maricopa near Queen Creek, Laveen, or other areas outside city boundaries may be eligible for county assistance rather than a city-specific program.

Income limits. Like city programs, the county HOME program targets households at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income, adjusted for household size. The Maricopa County 80 percent AMI thresholds are set by HUD and updated annually. As an illustrative reference, a two-person household at 80 percent AMI in Maricopa County falls in the mid-$60,000 range in recent program years, though buyers should verify current limits at the time of application.

Structure. The county assistance is typically structured as a deferred-payment subordinate loan with no monthly payments. Repayment is triggered by sale, refinance, or the end of an affordability period. Terms vary by program year.

Homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required, consistent with all other programs in this guide.

If your target address is in an unincorporated area or a smaller city without a standalone DPA program, the county program is the primary fallback. I identify county versus city eligibility as part of the pre-approval process.

How to Stack City and State DPA for Maximum Help

One of the most powerful aspects of Maricopa County’s DPA landscape is the potential to combine a city-level program with a statewide program. Stacking is not automatic: it requires that both programs permit layering, that the combined assistance does not exceed the loan’s maximum allowed contribution, and that your lender is approved to participate in both programs simultaneously.

A common stack structure. A buyer purchasing within Phoenix city limits on an FHA loan might layer City of Phoenix HAP assistance with HOME Plus from AzIDA. The city program covers a portion of the down payment as a deferred loan; the state program covers remaining down payment or closing costs as a grant or forgivable second. The result, subject to qualification, is a purchase with significantly reduced out-of-pocket cash at closing.

What stacking requires from the buyer.

• Qualifying income that falls within both programs’ limits (city programs tend to be more restrictive at 80 percent AMI; the state HOME Plus allows up to 115 percent AMI)
• A lender approved by both the city program and the state program
• Completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before submitting DPA applications
• A purchase price and loan amount within both programs’ caps
• Willingness to carry the deferred-loan terms for the city program through your ownership period

What stacking does not do. Stacking multiple DPA programs does not eliminate the need for any buyer contribution. Most programs require the buyer to contribute a minimum percentage from their own funds, separate from DPA. Lenders also want to see that buyers have some reserves remaining after closing, subject to loan program requirements.

Coordinating a stacked DPA purchase requires careful timing. City programs often have their own application windows and must be approved before a purchase contract is fully in place. I walk buyers through the sequencing so that city, state, and lender approvals align without delaying closing.

For full details on all loan types that pair with DPA programs in Arizona, see my loan options page.

Frequently Asked Questions: Maricopa County Down Payment Assistance

Who qualifies for Maricopa County down payment assistance?

Eligibility varies by program. City programs in Phoenix and Mesa typically require household income at or below 80 percent of Maricopa County Area Median Income. The statewide HOME Plus program allows income up to 115 percent AMI. All programs require the property to be a primary residence, completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course, and that the buyer meet the credit and loan requirements of the underlying mortgage. Buyers may qualify for multiple programs simultaneously, subject to stacking rules.

Do I have to repay Maricopa County down payment assistance?

It depends on the program. HOME Plus from AzIDA is structured as a grant or forgivable second mortgage, typically forgiven after a set period of on-time occupancy, subject to program terms. City programs in Phoenix and Mesa are generally structured as deferred-payment loans, meaning no monthly payments are required but repayment is triggered when the home is sold, refinanced, or transferred. The county HOME program follows a similar deferred-loan structure. I review the specific repayment terms for any program before you commit to it.

Can I use down payment assistance with an FHA loan in Maricopa County?

Yes. Most Maricopa County and Arizona DPA programs are designed to layer with FHA financing. FHA’s 3.5 percent down payment requirement pairs well with assistance programs, and the income limits on most programs align with the borrower profiles that typically use FHA loans. HOME Plus also pairs with VA, USDA, Fannie Mae HomeReady, and Freddie Mac Home Possible loans for buyers who qualify for those programs. The underlying loan type affects which DPA options are available, and I match the right combination during pre-approval.

Does Maricopa County down payment assistance affect my interest rate?

DPA programs can affect the rate on the first mortgage in some cases. HOME Plus, for example, tiers lender participation levels, and some tiers carry a slightly adjusted rate compared to a standard loan. The tradeoff is typically favorable because the assistance received often exceeds any long-term cost difference, but every buyer’s situation is different. I model both scenarios, with and without DPA, so buyers can make an informed comparison based on their specific numbers, subject to the rates and program terms in effect at the time of application.

What is the homebuyer education requirement for Arizona DPA programs?

Every Maricopa County and Arizona DPA program listed in this guide requires completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before funds are disbursed. Courses are available online through providers like eHome America and Framework, and in-person through local HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. Course completion typically takes four to eight hours, and a certificate is issued upon completion. I recommend completing the course early in the process so it does not delay your application or closing timeline.

Can I use Maricopa County DPA if I am buying in Queen Creek or Gilbert?

Queen Creek and Gilbert buyers can access statewide programs including HOME Plus and Pathway to Purchase, subject to income limits and program availability. City-specific programs from Phoenix and Mesa apply only within those city limits. Buyers in Queen Creek or Gilbert who do not qualify for a city program may access the county HOME program if their address falls in an eligible unincorporated area, or the statewide programs if they meet income thresholds. I identify the applicable programs for your specific address during the pre-approval review. To explore your loan options as part of this process, visit my Ask a Professional page.

Ready to Find Out Which Maricopa County DPA Programs You May Qualify For?

Navigating Maricopa County down payment assistance programs requires knowing which programs are funded, which apply to your target city and address, and how to sequence applications alongside your mortgage pre-approval. That coordination is something I handle for every buyer who comes to me with an interest in DPA.

I am a Queen Creek-based mortgage lender with Fairway Home Mortgage, NMLS #242302 (Company NMLS #2289), serving buyers across Maricopa County, including Queen Creek, Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Mesa, and the surrounding East and West Valley communities. With over $350 million in loans funded and 174 reviews at 4.95 stars, I bring consistent execution to every file.

If you are curious whether a city program, statewide program, or combination of both may apply to your situation, reach out. I will review your income, credit, savings, and target area, then walk you through your options. There is no obligation. The goal is to give you a clear picture of what assistance you may qualify for, so you can move forward with confidence.

All loan programs subject to credit approval and income qualification. Numeric examples in this article are illustrative only and do not represent a commitment to lend. Program terms, income limits, and funding availability are subject to change without notice.

Take the Next Step Today

Call Kevin Kerivan at (480) 250-0158 or visit loanswithkevinkerivan.com to get started.

Start your application online | NMLS #242302 | Company NMLS #2289