There are many options available for Down Payment Assistance Programs for home buyers in and around Tucson. Many of these programs – although they do have qualifying criteria – do not require that a person be a first-time home buyer as a part of that qualifying criteria. Generally, there are income & credit qualification parameters & sometimes geographical restrictions. Sometimes you must take a class. Sometimes these programs have funding until a monetary allotment runs out, then there is a wait to see if the program is renewed.
In addition, there are other programs available from specific lending institutions to their clients. For Native Americans, I have seen programs available from some tribes for their members. In other words, there are quite a few options to explore.
This information is intended to be a helpful guide rather than a comprehensive list. Please consult with a mortgage lender for availability, qualification and complete details on each of these programs (and others).
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1. City of Tucson & Pima County Down Payment Assistance Program
This program provides up to 20% of the home’s purchase price to eligible buyers in the form of a forgivable second mortgage. It is managed by the City of Tucson and Pima County in partnership with local nonprofits like Community Investment Corporation (CIC). The assistance can be used toward down payment and closing costs. To qualify, buyers must meet income limits based on household size, complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course, and be purchasing a primary residence within the Tucson city limits or Pima County (excluding tribal lands). This program is typically geared toward low- to moderate-income households and may require minimum credit scores depending on lender overlays.
2. Pima Tucson Homebuyer’s Solution (PTHS)
This is one of the most widely used DPA programs in the region, offered through the Pima Industrial Development Authority (IDA). It provides up to 100% of the cash needed for down payment and closing costs through a non-repayable second mortgage (for most loan types) or as a grant (for VA loans). It is open to both first-time and repeat buyers purchasing within Pima County. To qualify, applicants generally need a minimum credit score of 640 and a maximum debt-to-income ratio (DTI) of 45%. Income limits vary by loan product but typically go up to $128,000–$146,000. Homebuyer education is required.
3. Tucson Welcome Home Program (Credit Union Consortium)
This unique offering, supported by the GoWest Foundation and local credit unions like Pima Federal Credit Union and Vantage West, offers 100% financing with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI). It’s designed for first-time homebuyers earning up to 140% of Area Median Income (about $126,000 for a household of four in Pima County). Buyers must be employed full-time for at least two years and purchase a primary residence in Pima County. This program combines a zero-down mortgage with favorable loan terms rather than a separate DPA loan or grant.
4. Pima Tucson Lighthouse 7.0 Bond Program
Offered through the Pima IDA, this program provides up to 4% of the loan amount as assistance, which can be applied to the down payment and closing costs. The assistance is structured as a second mortgage that is fully forgivable after three years if the home remains the buyer’s primary residence. It is intended for first-time homebuyers but waivers are available for veterans or for purchases in designated “targeted areas.” This program requires use of an FHA, VA, or USDA loan. Buyers must meet income limits and complete a homebuyer education course.
5. HOME+PLUS Down Payment Assistance Program (Arizona IDA)
Although a statewide program, HOME+PLUS is available to buyers in Tucson and Pima County. It offers up to 4% of the purchase price to help cover the down payment and closing costs. The assistance comes in the form of a forgivable second mortgage that typically dissolves after five years of occupancy. Buyers must have a minimum credit score of 640 and meet income limits (currently up to about $146,000 depending on family size and loan type). The program is compatible with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans, and completion of homebuyer education is required.
6. Family Housing Resources (FHR) HOME and WISH Programs
FHR administers two smaller assistance programs aimed at low- to moderate-income buyers in the Tucson metro area. The HOME program generally offers up to about 3.5% of the home’s purchase price, and the WISH program (when available) may provide matched funds for eligible buyers. Both require buyers to complete a homebuyer education course, meet income eligibility limits (usually 80% of Area Median Income or lower), and purchase within the local area. These funds are often in grant form or forgivable loans and are designed to assist with either down payment or closing costs.