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Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Phoenix, Arizona, administered by Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona.

Last verified Source: Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: No info; standard Habitat definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Mandatory Habitat workshops; homeownership education program
  • Residency: Maricopa or Pinal County (builds in Arizona City and Phoenix metro area)
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or permanent resident; applies to all household members
  • $100 non-refundable application fee (waived for military applicants). Must contribute 200-400 sweat equity hours. Must be able to cover closing costs (~$4,000). Must be willing to live in designated Habitat neighborhoods. 2-year stable income history required. Active builds in Arizona City (Pinal County) and Phoenix area; location cannot be chosen by applicant. [orig: dpa_interest_rate: 0% (zero-interest Habitat loan)]
  • A home inside Phoenix city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 78% of area median income
  • Homes outside Phoenix

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

78% of Maricopa County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$112,400
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Phoenix’s homes

  • 59.8% single-family
  • 4.8% townhouse
  • 6.1% 2–4 units
  • 26.4% 5+ units
  • 2.9% mobile & other

$420,700

Phoenix median home value

41.6%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Phoenix

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Mandatory Habitat workshops; homeownership education program.

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Pre-screening application; open enrollment, and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Phoenix, Arizona, administered by Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona. Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona provides zero-interest affordable mortgages to income-eligible families in Maricopa and Pinal counties, with sweat equity requirements of 200-400 hours in lieu of a traditional down payment. Qualifying families must demonstrate need for adequate housing, ability to pay the affordable mortgage, and willingness to partner with Habitat. Active construction is underway in Arizona City (Pinal County) and the Phoenix metro area. Zero-interest Habitat mortgage. No traditional down payment (sweat equity replaces it). New construction in Maricopa and Pinal counties. Income up to 78% AMI. Application fee waived for military. Mandatory homeownership education.

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona. The assistance is recorded in First position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: No info; standard Habitat definition. A homebuyer education course is required, through Mandatory Habitat workshops; homeownership education program. Residency requirement: Maricopa or Pinal County (builds in Arizona City and Phoenix metro area). Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or permanent resident; applies to all household members. $100 non-refundable application fee (waived for military applicants). Must contribute 200-400 sweat equity hours. Must be able to cover closing costs (~$4,000). Must be willing to live in designated Habitat neighborhoods. 2-year stable income history required. Active builds in Arizona City (Pinal County) and Phoenix area; location cannot be chosen by applicant. [orig: dpa_interest_rate: 0% (zero-interest Habitat loan)].

What are the income limits?

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program limits household income to 78% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Gross annual household income may not exceed 78% of Maricopa and Pinal County AMI; varies by family size. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: Homes priced for affordability by Habitat CAZ. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program names veterans and active-duty service members among the groups it serves. Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Phoenix, Arizona. Targeted neighborhoods: Currently building in Arizona City (Pinal County) and Phoenix metro.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Pre-screening application; open enrollment. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.