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 ranges from 1% to 5% of the loan amount depending on which pricing tier matches your scenario. Income cap typically $112-$130K depending on program tier. 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.
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.
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.