Arkansas Down Payment Assistance
Arkansas Down Payment Assistance Programs
A guide to current down payment assistance options in Arkansas, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for Arkansas homebuyers.
Arkansas Housing Finance Agency
Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA)
ADFA administers the primary DPA programs for Arkansas. Program details below are current as of April 23, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with ADFA before applying.
Statewide DPA Programs in Arkansas
ADFA Move-Up
ADFA
30-year fixed-rate first mortgage with no prepayment penalty, designed to pair with ADFA Down Payment Assistance.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Income: Qualifying income up to $142,000.
Source: adfa.arkansas.gov
ADFA Down Payment Assistance (DPA)
ADFA
$1,000 to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs as a 10-year second mortgage that matches the ADFA first.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- Primary residence only
Must be paired with an ADFA StartSmart or ADFA Move-Up first mortgage.
Source: adfa.arkansas.gov
Arkansas Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI)
ADFA
Forgivable soft second mortgage up to 10% of the sales price, capped at $10,000, for qualifying low-income buyers. Forgiven in equal annual installments over five years.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- Primary residence only
- Income: Low-income thresholds per ADFA schedule (income limits apply).
- Homebuyer education required
Loan is forgiven only if the buyer owns, occupies, maintains, insures, and pays taxes on the home for the affordability period.
Source: homeloans.arkansas.gov
Arkansas Notes for Homebuyers
- Arkansas permits closings through title companies; attorneys are not required.
2026 Loan Limits in Arkansas
Conforming (Conventional)
$806,500 baseline
FHA
$524,225 floor
Most Arkansas counties use the FHA floor limit.
Live DPA Pricing for Arkansas
Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a Arkansas scenario. Edit the inputs to match your situation.
FHA Down Payment Assistance
Up to 5% assistance; repayable second at first rate + 2% over 10 years
▸Program details
- ✓Minimum credit score: 580
- ✓Non-traditional credit also possible
- ✓Assistance up to 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓Assistance can be used for down payment, closing costs, or both
- ✓Second lien: 10-year fixed, repayable
- ✓Second lien rate is 2% higher than the first mortgage rate
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓No income cap
- ✓Purchase of primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit residences, PUD, 2-4 units, FHA-approved condos, manufactured (single/double-wide)
- ✓DTI per AUS and FHA manual underwriting guidelines
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed
Assistance amount
Compare DPA options for Arkansas with live pricing
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