HOMES FOR ARIZONANS INITIATIVE
 

 Down payment assistance is available through the Homes for Arizonans Program, funded by the Arizona Housing Finance Authority (AzHFA) and the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH). Homes for Arizonans assistance is provided in the form of an interest-free loan that must be repaid when the housing unit is sold or no longer occupied by the assisted household. 

Program Contacts

County 

Agency

Phone

E-mail

Gila, Pinal

Arizona Dept of Housing

602-771-1027

Sandraw@housingaz.com

Yuma

Housing America Corporation

928-627-4221

rsanchez@hacorp.org

Apache, Navajo

Northern AZ Council of Governments

928-289-6020

tnagle@nacog.org

Coconino, Yavapai

Northern AZ Council of Governments

928-774-1895

khaislet@nacog.org

Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz

Southeastern AZ Governments Organization

520-432-5301

jpacker@seago.org

La Paz, Mohave

Housing America Corporation

928-718-1888

tbishop@hacorp.org

 

 

 

 

 

Who is Eligible? 

Families, including single people, who have not owned a home in the last three years and whose yearly income does not exceed certain limits. The chart below shows the income limits by family size. When a family is eligible, it does not automatically qualify to buy a home. The family must apply to a bank or mortgage company for a home loan and must meet the lender’s requirements. 
 
Income Limits 

Three tiers of assistance are available depending upon the income of the assisted household. These income limits represent a certain percentage of area median income. 
 
Apache County
 

 

1 Person

2 Persons

3 Persons

4 Persons

5 Person

6 person

Tier 1

$58,500

$58,500

$67,275

$67,275

$67,275

$67,275

Tier 2

$23,700

$27,100

$30,450

$33,850

$36,550

$39,250

Tier 3

$17,760

$20,280

$22,860

$25,380

$27,420

$29,460

 Coconino County

 

1 Person

2 Persons

3 Persons

4 Persons

5 Persons

6 persons

Tier 1

$59,000

$59,000

$67,850

$67,850

$67,850

$67,850

Tier 2

$33,050

$37,750

$42,500

$47,200

$51,000

$54,750

Tier 3

$24,780

$28,320

$31,860

$35,400

$38,220

$41,040

 Navajo County

 

1 Person

2 Persons

3 Persons

4 Persons

5 Persons

6 persons

Tier 1

$58,500

$58,500

$67,275

$67,275

$67,275

$67,275

Tier 2

$23,750

$27,100

$30,500

$33,900

$36,600

$39,300

Tier 3

$17,820

$20,340

$22,920

$25,440

$27,480

$29,520

 Yavapai County

 

1 Person

2 Persons

3 Persons

4 Persons

5 Persons

6 persons

Tier 1

$58,500

$58,500

$67,275

$67,275

$67,275

$67,275

Tier 2

$28,300

$32,300

$36,350

$40,400

$43,650

$46,850

Tier 3

$21,240

$24,240

$27,300

$30,300

$32,700

$35,160


 

How much assistance will be provided?

The actual amount of the assistance is dependent upon five factors: the amount of family income, the purchase price of the house, the actual closing costs on the house, the amount of family savings and assets, and any other gifts or assistance the family may be receiving. The maximum assistance level for the program is $20,000.
 


 

Income Level

Maximum Assistance

Tier 1

5% of the purchase price of the home. Funds can be used for down payment and/or closing costs. Tier 1 families must also participate in the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) or Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) program.

Tier 2

10% of the purchase price of the home and up to $3,000 in closing costs (or actual costs if lower). Tier 2 families must obtain a 30-year fixed mortgage.

Tier 3

15% of the purchase price of the home and up to $3,000 in closing costs (or actual costs if lower). Tier 3 families must obtain a 30-year fixed mortgage.

 

 

 

 

When must the assistance be repaid?
The assistance must be repaid if the family sells the property or fails to occupy the property as a primary residence. These restrictions are spelled out in legal documents that must be signed at the time the house is purchased.
 
How much must families contribute to the purchase of their house?
The minimum buyer contribution toward the down payment is 3% of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is less), but not less than $1,000. Gifts, subsidies, or other lender funds (including loaned funds) may decrease the buyer’s down payment amount from 3% of the purchase price or appraised value to $1,000. 
 
What type of house can be purchased?
The type of house purchased may be a single-family home, condominium, townhouse, cooperative, or manufactured unit that is permanently affixed to a foundation and on land owned by the family. A housing unit purchased with the assistance must be occupied by the family as a primary residence. This means the housing unit cannot be rented or left vacant.  In addition, the purchase price of the housing unit is restricted to the FHA 203(b) insuring limit for the county of purchase.
 
Additional restrictions

  • The housing unit cannot be a “fix-up” property. The unit must be in safe condition, and major systems such as the roof, heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical must be expected to last at least three years before repairs are needed. The property will be inspected for these standards but not guaranteed by the State. The family should carefully select a home based on these expectations and may wish to purchase a home inspection and home warranty.
  • Families receiving assistance must complete a series of classes or individual meetings that explain the Homes for Arizonans requirements, the home buying process, and the family’s responsibilities. These meetings are free and held in various locations at various times throughout the year. The agency in your area can provide you with additional information regarding these classes and other program requirements.