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Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH)

Multiple County, Arizona

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 5 years

What is Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH)?

Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Multiple County, Arizona.

  • The Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) Program is funded by FHLBank San Francisco and delivered locally by Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona (HSNA) as the participating member partner. WISH provides 4-to-1 matching grants up to the 2026 maximum of $32,837 (set annually by FHFA) to first-time homebuyers earning at or below 80% Area Median Income. Buyers contribute a minimum of $2,000 or 1% of the purchase price (whichever is greater); FHLBank San Francisco matches that contribution 4:1 through HSNA. The grant is recorded as a 5-year retention deed restriction that forgives 20% per year of owner-occupancy, fully forgiven after 5 years; sale, refinance with cash out, or loss of owner-occupancy during retention triggers pro-rata recapture of the unforgiven balance. WISH funds are delivered annually on a first-come, first-served basis from FHLBank San Francisco's Affordable Housing Program 35% set-aside; the 2026 nationwide allocation is $13M and may be exhausted mid-year. HSNA covers Coconino, Mohave, and Yavapai counties (and serves the broader Northern Arizona region including Apache and Navajo county clients via referral). Native applicants from Navajo, Hopi, and Hualapai communities may apply on the same terms as any other qualifying buyer; WISH is not a Native-targeted program.
  • Up to $32,837 (2026 maximum set by FHFA) in 4-to-1 matching down payment / closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers at or below 80% Area Median Income. Buyer's contribution (minimum $2,000 or 1% of purchase price, whichever is greater) is matched 4:1 by FHLBank San Francisco grant funds delivered through HSNA. Funds are structured as a 5-year deferred forgivable grant (recorded as a retention deed restriction) - 20% of the subsidy is forgiven for each full year of owner-occupancy, with 100% forgiven after 5 years. No monthly payments and no repayment if the household stays the full retention period.
  • Funding comes from FHLB and Federal.

Do you have to pay it back?

Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, cash-out refinance, foreclosure, deed-in-lieu, or loss of owner-occupancy during the 5-year retention period.
  • The assistance is recorded in Recorded retention deed restriction (not a traditional subordinate lien); first mortgage remains in 1st position. position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: First-time-homebuyer rule waived for displaced homemakers and single parents per FHLB definition.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No published WISH-specific minimum; first-mortgage lender's credit standards apply.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona
  • Residency: Property must be located in HSNA's service area (Coconino, Mohave, or Yavapai County per HSNA WISH listing) and occupied as primary residence; buyer must escrow within 12 months of WISH enrollment.
  • Must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership interest in a primary residence in the past 3 years). Household income at or below 80% of HUD AMI based on household size and county at time of WISH enrollment. Buyer must contribute a minimum of $2,000 or 1% of the purchase price (whichever is greater) of own funds to be matched 4:1. Must complete HUD-approved homebuyer education / pre-purchase counseling with HSNA. Must enroll in the WISH program PRIOR to closing and open escrow within 12 months of enrollment. Property must be in HSNA's service area (Coconino, Mohave, or Yavapai County per HSNA's WISH service description) and used as primary residence. A 5-year retention deed restriction is recorded; sale, transfer, refinance with cash out, foreclosure, or loss of owner-occupancy during the retention period triggers pro-rata recapture of unforgiven subsidy. Subject to availability of the 2026 FHLBank San Francisco WISH allocation - the 2026 round is $13M nationally and is typically reserved on a first-come, first-served basis through participating member banks.

The program excludes

  • Households above 80% of area median income

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

What are the income limits?

Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income at or below 80% of HUD Area Median Income (AMI) for the buyer's county of purchase, adjusted for household size, as of WISH enrollment. Coconino County FY2025 80% AMI 4-person is approximately $84,150; Mohave / Yavapai limits are lower. The seed PDF income range $35,880-$84,162 spans the 30%-80% AMI brackets across HSNA's service area.
  • 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?

Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) can be used for Single-Family, Townhome, Condo, and Manufactured.

  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) serves buyers purchasing in Multiple County, Arizona.

How do you apply?

Applications for Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona.

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Reserved through HSNA on a first-come, first-served basis; HSNA enrolls eligible buyers in WISH via FHLBank San Francisco's Community Investment Portal once a signed purchase contract is in place. 2026 nationwide allocation: $13M (FHLB SF). May be exhausted mid-year., 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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