Pima County Down Payment Assistance — Tucson 2026 Programs
Pima County buyers have access to the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution (HBS) program plus statewide Home Plus. Tucson, Marana, Vail, Sahuarita, Oro Valley, and Green Valley all qualify. Here's what's available and the eligibility specifics most buyers miss.
By Mike Certo, Cornerstone First Mortgage · NMLS #260555 · Updated 2026-06-08
Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution (HBS)
Run by the Pima County Industrial Development Authority. Provides up to 5% of the loan amount in down payment + closing cost assistance as a 0% second mortgage. Forgivable after 5 years of continued occupancy. Income limits roughly 80% of Tucson MSA AMI — about $67K for a household of 4 in 2026. Credit score 640+. Pairs with FHA, conventional, and USDA first mortgages. Particularly useful for Tucson teachers, healthcare workers, and military families at Davis-Monthan whose income fits the cap.
Home Plus (statewide, including Pima)
Arizona Department of Housing's program available across Arizona including Pima County. Down payment assistance runs up to 4% of the loan amount, plus an extra 1% for Active Duty service members and Veterans, for up to 5% total. Borrower income limit is $155,386 ($146,503 when paired with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional HFA loan). Credit score floor 640. Pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional. Useful for Pima buyers whose income exceeds the HBS cap but still want DPA on a higher-priced home. See the current 2026 DPA figures for the latest income caps.
Required homebuyer education in Pima County
Both HBS and Home Plus require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before closing. The course takes 4-6 hours, is usually online, and is often free. Community Investment Corporation of Tucson (CIC) is one of the HUD-approved counseling agencies serving Pima County. They handle the education requirement plus offer pre-purchase counseling for buyers who need it. (CIC is independent — we coordinate but aren't affiliated.)
Davis-Monthan AFB Veterans + Pima DPA
Veterans stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB or retired in the Tucson area can layer DPA with a VA first mortgage. VA's zero-down requirement plus closing-cost assistance via HBS or Home Plus often results in zero-out-of-pocket close. The VA funding fee waiver (for Veterans with 10%+ service-connected disability rating) stacks cleanly. Talk to a VA-accredited counselor for service-connection eligibility questions — we cite VA Lender Handbook guidance, not legal advice.
Tucson neighborhoods and DPA — what tends to work
Pima County's lower median home prices vs. Maricopa make DPA stretch further on a percentage basis. Most Tucson-area neighborhoods — Vail, Rita Ranch, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Oro Valley, central Tucson, midtown — fit within DPA loan-amount caps for both HBS and Home Plus. Higher-end Oro Valley and the Catalina foothills may exceed HBS's lower caps, in which case Home Plus is the practical fit.
Pima County DPA — frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay back down payment assistance in Pima County?
In most cases, no. The Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution is a 0% second mortgage that is forgiven after 5 years of continued occupancy, so you owe nothing if you stay. Statewide Home Plus is a forgivable/deferred soft second with no monthly payment. Sell or refinance early and a portion may come due, which is why timeline matters.
How much down payment assistance can I get in Tucson?
The Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution provides up to 5% of the loan amount toward down payment and closing costs. Statewide Home Plus provides up to 4%, plus an extra 1% for Active Duty service members and Veterans, for up to 5% total. The assistance is a percentage of your loan amount, so a larger loan means more dollars of help.
What credit score do I need for Pima County DPA?
You need a 640 credit score for the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution and 620 for Home Plus. FHA on its own allows scores down to 580, and each DPA program sets its own floor. If your score is between 580 and 639, we can map a path to your program's minimum before you apply.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to use DPA in Pima County?
No, not for Home Plus, which allows repeat buyers across Arizona including Pima County. "First-time buyer" simply means you have not owned a home in the last 3 years, and it only matters for programs that require it. Home Plus has no first-time requirement, so move-up and returning Tucson buyers can still qualify.
Does Pima County DPA work with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans?
Yes, all four. The Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution pairs with FHA, conventional, and USDA first mortgages, and Home Plus adds VA on top of those. Davis-Monthan Veterans can combine VA's zero-down with DPA closing-cost help for a near zero-out-of-pocket close. You use one DPA program per purchase, layered over your chosen first mortgage.
Do I need a homebuyer education course in Pima County?
Yes. Both the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution and Home Plus require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before closing. It takes about 4 to 6 hours, is usually online, and is often free or low cost. The Community Investment Corporation of Tucson is one HUD-approved agency serving Pima County.
HBS vs. Home Plus — which is better for Tucson buyers?
It depends on income and price. The Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution has lower income caps (roughly 80% of Tucson AMI) but works well on Pima's lower-priced homes. Home Plus has a higher $155,386 borrower income limit and fits higher-priced homes or buyers above the HBS cap. We run both on your scenario before you write an offer.
Is down payment assistance always the right move?
No, not always. DPA can carry slightly higher first-mortgage pricing in exchange for the help, so if you already have savings for the down payment, paying it yourself may cost less over time. For most Tucson buyers short on cash, DPA is the difference between buying now and waiting. We compare both paths honestly.
Next step
Run the HBS vs. Home Plus math on your specific scenario before you write an offer. A 20-minute call covers your income, credit, target Pima neighborhood, and whether VA or FHA first mortgage pairs better. Schedule a free consultation or call (480) 296-6513.