The Arizona Industrial Development Authority's HOME Plus program provides up to 4% of the first-mortgage amount in down payment assistance through a second lien that comes in forgivable and non-forgivable versions. It's open to both first-time and repeat buyers in all 15 Arizona counties. And unlike a lot of state DPA programs, HOME Plus has no first-time buyer requirement. That makes it one of the most accessible mortgage assistance options in the state, according to Arizona IDA.

Home Plus Arizona: Everything You Need to Know

Lighthouse availability: Pima Tucson Lighthouse is released in limited funding rounds that close once the money is committed. When we checked the Pima Tucson Housing Innovation Hub in October 2026, it listed the latest round as closed. Lighthouse details in this article describe how the program works when a round is open, and each round's lender guidelines set its eligible loan types. Ask us whether a round is open before you plan around it; the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution and Home Plus Arizona remain available in the meantime.

Not a first-time buyer? That's okay. The Home Plus Arizona program doesn't care if you've owned a home before. It's one of the few down payment assistance programs in Arizona that's open to repeat buyers, and it offers up to 4% of the first-mortgage amount toward your down payment and closing costs.

Let's dig into how it works and whether it might be right for you.

What Is Home Plus Arizona?

Home Plus is a down payment assistance program administered by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority (Arizona IDA). Unlike many DPA programs that are restricted to first-time buyers, Home Plus is available to all eligible buyers, whether you're buying your first home or your fifth.

The help arrives as a second mortgage that covers your down payment and potentially some closing costs, and Arizona IDA lets you choose between two versions. The forgivable option charges no interest and no payment and is erased once the loan reaches 60 months. The non-forgivable option has to be paid back, so confirm which one your loan uses.

How Much Down Payment Assistance Can You Get?

Home Plus offers up to 4% of your first-mortgage amount in assistance, set in tiers: FHA, VA and USDA loans can carry a 2%, 3% or 4% tier, and conventional HFA loans a 3% or 4% tier. Your loan officer can walk you through which tier fits your file.

The percentage is applied to your first-mortgage balance, so the dollar figure moves with the size of your loan:

First Mortgage Amount	Home Plus Assistance (4% tier)
$285,000	$11,400
$330,000	$13,200
$380,000	$15,200

At the 4% tier, the assistance usually covers the full FHA minimum down payment (3.5% of the price) with a little left for closing costs. The lower tiers may not cover all of it.

Eligibility Requirements

Buyer Status

This is the big one: you don't have to be a first-time buyer. If you currently own a home, you'd need to sell it before closing on your new purchase, but prior homeownership doesn't disqualify you.

Credit Score

HOME Plus sets a program minimum credit score, and the lender making your loan can require a higher one. We confirm the exact floor for your file rather than quote one number, and every borrower on the loan must meet it.

Income Limits

Home Plus uses one statewide income cap instead of a household-size chart. Arizona IDA listed it at $155,386 for every county as of April 6, 2026. It measures only the borrowers' pre-tax gross income, figured the way the lender figures it for the first mortgage, so a relative or roommate who isn't on the loan doesn't count (USDA loans still follow USDA's own household rules). The cap changes from time to time, so we confirm the current figure for your file.

Occupancy

The property must be your primary residence. Investment properties and second homes don't qualify.

Property Location

The home must be in Arizona. Home Plus works statewide, so whether you're buying in Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, or anywhere else in the state, you may be eligible.

How the Forgiveness Works

If you choose the forgivable option, the Home Plus DPA is a second lien that is forgiven after 5 years (60 months). The non-forgivable option is never forgiven and is repaid under its note, so the points below describe the forgivable version.

Here's what that means in practice:

• No monthly payments on the DPA portion
• Nothing is forgiven along the way; the whole balance is forgiven on the fifth anniversary of your loan date
• If you sell or refinance before that anniversary, expect to repay the full assistance amount, and Arizona IDA won't subordinate its lien to make a refinance work
• Reach the five-year mark and the entire amount is forgiven

That makes timing matter. Moving out in year three or four doesn't earn partial credit, so if a job change or a growing family could push you out early, weigh that before choosing Home Plus.

Home Plus vs. Pima Tucson Lighthouse: Quick Comparison

Buyers in the Tucson area often ask which program is better. Here's a quick side-by-side:

Feature	Home Plus Arizona	Pima Tucson Lighthouse
DPA Amount	Up to 4% of the loan (tiered)	4% of the loan
First-Time Buyer Required	No	Yes
Forgiveness	Forgivable option: in full after 60 months (non-forgivable option is repaid)	Becomes a grant after 5 years in the home
Minimum Credit Score	Program floor; lenders may require more	640 (exceptions apply)
Administrator	Arizona IDA	Tucson & Pima County IDAs
Availability	Year-round, statewide	Only while a funding round is open

If you're a first-time buyer, you have options. If you've owned before, Home Plus or the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution (2% to 5% of the loan (5% only with its EDGE rate buy-down), also open to repeat buyers) is likely your best bet.

The Application Process

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Start by confirming you meet the basic requirements: credit score, income limits, and property type. Our quick qualifier quiz can help you get a preliminary answer in about 60 seconds.

Step 2: Connect with a Participating Lender Not all lenders offer Home Plus; it runs through lenders that participate in the program. Ask us whether HOME Plus can be paired with a loan through our team, and we'll confirm that for your scenario before you apply.

Step 3: Complete Homebuyer Education You'll need to finish a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before closing. This is usually done online and takes a few hours.

Step 4: Get Pre-Approved Once your financials are reviewed, you get a pre-approval letter, and your loan officer confirms whether HOME Plus fits your file and can go with that loan. This puts you in a strong position when making offers.

Step 5: Find and Buy Your Home With pre-approval in hand, you'll shop for homes, make an offer, and proceed through the normal home buying process. The DPA funds are applied at closing.

Who Is Home Plus Best For?

Home Plus tends to be a great fit for:

• Repeat buyers who don't qualify for first-time buyer programs
• Anyone who plans to stay in their home for at least 5 years
• Buyers who have steady income but limited savings for a down payment

If you're relocating to Tucson from another state where you owned a home, Home Plus could be your ticket to getting into the Arizona market without needing a huge cash reserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Home Plus with any loan type? Yes, Home Plus works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans. Your lender will help determine which combination makes the most sense for your situation.

What if I need to move for work before 5 years? Before the fifth anniversary, the full assistance amount is generally due when you sell. If an employer transfer is forcing the move, ask us to check the terms on your note. We can discuss your specific circumstances.

Are there purchase price limits? Arizona IDA doesn't add a purchase-price cap of its own for Home Plus. The ceiling that matters comes from the loan you pair it with, such as FHA's county loan limit, so we check that against the homes you're considering.

Can I combine Home Plus with other DPA? Generally, you can only use one DPA program per transaction. At the 4% tier, Home Plus alone often covers an FHA down payment with some left for closing costs.

Take the Next Step

Wondering if Home Plus is right for you? The fastest way to find out is to take our qualifier quiz or give us a call at (480) 420-4918.

Home Plus is built to sit behind FHA, VA, USDA and conventional first mortgages; which pairing fits you, and whether it can go through our team, is something we confirm for your file. Even if you're not sure about your eligibility, a quick conversation can give you clarity on your options.

Check out all DPA programs available in the Tucson area to compare your options side by side.