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Arizona First Time Home Buyer Programs

By Tony Cane

Among all the states in the union, Arizona may perhaps have the highest number of first time home buyer programs anywhere in the country. When you consider the combination of several state programs and nearly two dozen local programs, Arizona residents have plenty of options for down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, and low-rate or low-cost mortgages. The best place to begin your search for first time home buyer programs in Arizona is to ask a real estate agent or lending institution. They will have all the necessary information along with the requirements.

The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH)

According to its website, the ADOH has a single mission: to make home ownership a reality for all Arizona residents. The state agency sponsors several different programs to help first time home buyers get mortgages, find downpayment assistance, find closing cost assistance, and secure low-interest loans. The agency also assists lending institutions and local municipalities in funding their programs for first-time home buyers. However, any state-sponsored programs have stringent requirements as follows:

State Home Buyer Program Requirements

  • qualify as first time home buyers (very first purchase OR no home ownership within the last three years)

  • have a signed purchase offer on a home before loan application is made

  • provide copies of federal income tax return for the last three years

  • have a verifiable good credit (perfect credit is not required)

  • occupy the home as the primary dwelling within 60 days of mortgage closing

  • meet certain income requirements

Local Programs

As previously mentioned there are nearly 2 dozen local programs for residents of specific Arizona cities. Most of these programs provide down payment assistance for first-time home buyers; some also offer low-cost and/or low interest mortgages as well. Details for these specific programs will be available through your lending institution or a local office. Keep in mind that most of these programs will have at least some restrictions regarding income level, residency requirements, and credit worthiness. The following is a list of these programs in alphabetical order, and with telephone numbers where applicable to help you contact the most relevant department:

  • Arizona Southwest Housing Foundation Down Payment Gift Program (GIFT) - (480) 926-7206

  • Flagstaff Affordable Housing Coalition Inc Community Homebuyer Assistance Program (CHAP) - (520) 214-7456

  • Glendale Los Vecinos Housing Development, Inc. First Time Homebuyer Program (FTHB) - (623) 435-2255

  • Multi Counties Community Services of Arizona Rural Home Purchase Assistance Program (RHAP) - (602) 280-1365

  • Northern Arizona Council of Government, Rural Home Purchase Assistance Program (RHAP)

  • Phoenix Community Housing Resources of Arizona (CHRA) Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) - (602) 631-9780

  • Phoenix Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix Down Payment Closing Cost Assistance Program (DPCC) - (602) 258-1659

  • Phoenix Valley-Corp Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) - (602) 247-4764

  • Pima County Family Housing Resource Wells Homebuyer Assistance Gift (GIFT) - (520) 318-0993

  • Pima County Family Housing Resources Homebuyer Assistance Project (HAP)

  • Pima County Pima Gold Home Program - (520) 882-0018

  • San Luis Comite de Bien Estar Inc Forgivable Loan Gap Financing Program (FLGF)

  • Southern Arizona Government Organization, Rural Home Purchase Assistance Program (RHAP) - (520) 432-5301

  • Tempe Community Assisted Mortgage Program - (480) 350-8961

  • Tucson Chicanos Por La Causa HOME Investment Partnership Program (HIPP)

  • Tucson TMM Family Services Inc HOME Funds Grant Program (HOME)

  • Tucson TMM Family Services Inc. Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Affordable Housing Program Homeownership Opportunities II (AHP) - (520) 322-9557

  • Tucson TMM Family Services Inc. First Time Home Buyer Grant Program (GRANT) - (520) 322-9557

  • Yuma County Housing America Corporation Rural Home Purchase Assistance Program (RHAP)

Local City Programs

Residents of major cities like Phoenix and Flagstaff should also be aware that municipalities sometimes deal with city blight by offering abandoned houses for sale at relatively low purchase prices. Often the prices of these homes are well below market value and include down payment assistance and rehabilitation grants. There is no rhyme or reason for such programs, so you'll just have to keep an eye out through your local real estate listings or through your agent. Bear in mind that many of these programs require occupancy by the owner for at least 10 years or longer. You may also be restricted in terms of the kind of rehabilitation you can do, if you accept the rehab grants.