Homeowners, Property Tax & Repairs · Surprise rank #153
Get $30,000 Toward Your Down Payment and Closing Costs!
SONYMA borrowers can pair their mortgage with a 0% down-payment assistance loan; a limited 2026 DPAL Plus option can provide more for lower-income buyers.
Who
Homebuyers using an eligible SONYMA mortgage. The limited 2026 DPAL Plus program targets households at or below 60% of area median income and generally first-time buyers, subject to program exceptions.
What to do
Start here: Start with a SONYMA participating lender and ask specifically about DPAL and whether DPAL Plus 2026 funds are still available.
Eligibility: You must qualify for a SONYMA mortgage and meet its property, income, purchase-price, occupancy and cash-contribution rules. DPAL Plus has tighter income rules and a $500,000 purchase-price limit.
What you get
DPAL is a 0% interest loan with no monthly payments that can cover down payment, closing costs and certain mortgage-insurance costs. It is forgiven after 10 years if you stay within the program rules.
Benefit: Standard DPAL has a $1,000 minimum; the maximum is the higher of $3,000 or 3% of the purchase price, capped at $15,000. DPAL Plus 2026 can provide up to $30,000 after other subsidies are applied.
Possible value: Potentially $1,000–$15,000 through standard DPAL or up to $30,000 through the limited 2026 DPAL Plus program.
Good to know
Important: DPAL is available only with a SONYMA mortgage, and the first-mortgage rate is generally 0.40 percentage points higher when DPAL is used. Selling or refinancing during the first 10 years can trigger recapture. DPAL Plus is limited and first-come, first-served.
Availability: Standard DPAL is active with eligible SONYMA loans. DPAL Plus 2026 launched July 1, 2026 and is available only while its limited funding lasts.
Why people miss it: Buyers often compare only mortgage rates and never ask whether SONYMA can attach a second, forgivable assistance loan to the purchase.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026