Pima County home buyers can compare three main affordability programs in 2026: the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution (2% to 5% of the loan (5% only with its EDGE rate buy-down) as deferred down payment assistance), Home Plus Arizona (up to 4% DPA statewide), and the Tucson Welcome Home Program (zero-down, no-PMI credit union loans). Pima Tucson Lighthouse, a separate first-time buyer program, adds 4% forgivable assistance only while one of its funding rounds is open. All of them cover the entire county — Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Vail, Green Valley, and beyond.

Pima County Down Payment Assistance: Every Program for 2026

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.

Searches for "Pima County down payment assistance" turn up a confusing mix of program names — Lighthouse, Homebuyer's Solution, Home Plus, Welcome Home. They're separate programs with different structures. Here's the untangled version.

The Program Names, Untangled

The Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution and Pima Tucson Lighthouse both come from the Industrial Development Authorities of the City of Tucson and Pima County, but they are separate programs. The Homebuyer's Solution is the ongoing one: 2% to 5% of the loan as a silent second lien with no monthly payment, open to first-time and repeat buyers; its payoff terms come from the program note. Lighthouse is released in limited funding rounds for first-time buyers, with 4% assistance forgiven after five years in the home; the Pima Tucson Housing Innovation Hub listed its latest round as closed when we checked in October 2026. Our complete Lighthouse guide covers eligibility in depth.

Home Plus Arizona is the state program — up to 4% assistance — that Pima County buyers can also use, including repeat buyers. Details in our Home Plus Arizona guide.

Tucson Welcome Home is the newcomer: not DPA at all, but a zero-down, no-PMI first mortgage offered by six Pima County credit unions since late 2024. It requires first-time buyer status, roughly a 660 credit score, and income under a Pima County AMI-based cap. Our Welcome Home Program guide explains exactly how it works and who should consider it.

What Pima County Assistance Covers

The DPA programs share some basic mechanics, with one big difference in repayment:

• Assistance amount: 2% to 5% of your loan amount through the Homebuyer's Solution, up to 4% through Home Plus, or 4% through Lighthouse when a round is open
• Structure: second lien with no monthly payments
• Repayment: the Homebuyer's Solution second follows the terms of its note (confirmed for your option); the Home Plus forgivable option and Lighthouse are forgiven after five years
• Use of funds: down payment first, then closing costs
• Loan pairing: FHA, VA, USDA and conventional first mortgages for Home Plus; FHA, VA, USDA-RD and HFA conventional loans for the Homebuyer's Solution; Lighthouse sets its loan types each round

Welcome Home works differently — there's no assistance to forgive because there's no down payment at all. You finance 100% of the price and repay it monthly, with no PMI added.

Eligibility Across Pima County Programs

The common threads:

1. Credit: 640 minimum for the Homebuyer's Solution; Home Plus sets its own floor, which lenders can raise; about 660 for Welcome Home
2. Income limits: each sets its own cap. The Homebuyer's Solution and Home Plus use one cap for every household size, while Lighthouse rounds set limits by household size and Welcome Home counts total household income — see how income limits work and how household size affects your limit
3. Primary residence in Pima County (Home Plus works statewide)
4. Education: DPA programs require a homebuyer education course; Welcome Home credit unions offer workshops

First-time status is required for Lighthouse and Welcome Home; Home Plus and the Homebuyer's Solution welcome repeat buyers.

Does Where You Live in Pima County Matter?

For eligibility, no — all three programs cover the entire county. But your community affects which program fits:

• Tucson proper and South Tucson: all programs; see the South Tucson first-time buyer guide
• Oro Valley and Catalina Foothills: higher price points mean Home Plus's generous limits often fit best — see Oro Valley DPA programs
• Marana and Dove Mountain: fast-growing new construction within program limits — see Marana DPA options
• Sahuarita and Green Valley: strong affordability; see the Sahuarita DPA guide and Green Valley guide
• Rural edges (Picture Rocks, Corona de Tucson): USDA zero-down may stack with these options — see rural DPA options

How to Choose

If you want down payment help that carries no monthly payment, start with the Homebuyer's Solution or Home Plus, and ask whether a Lighthouse round is open. If your credit is 660+ and you'd rather skip the down payment (and PMI) entirely, put the Welcome Home Program on your shortlist. Either way, a free 60-second eligibility check tells you which doors are open before you talk to anyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Pima County have down payment assistance?

Yes. Pima County buyers can use the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution (2% to 5% deferred assistance, repeat buyers welcome), Home Plus Arizona (up to 4%, repeat buyers welcome), and the Tucson Welcome Home Program (zero-down credit union loans with no PMI), plus Pima Tucson Lighthouse (4% forgivable assistance for first-time buyers) when a funding round is open. All of them cover every community in the county.

What is the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution?

It's the ongoing down payment assistance program of the Tucson and Pima County IDAs: 2% to 5% of the loan amount (up to 4% with its ADVANTAGE option, 5% only with the EDGE rate buy-down), recorded as a silent second lien with no monthly payment. Its note spells out what makes it due, and your loan officer walks you through it for the option you choose. It is open to first-time and repeat buyers, publishes a 640 minimum credit score, and measures applicant income against one cap for every household size: $155,386 with FHA, VA, USDA-RD or Fannie Mae HFA Preferred loans, or $79,840 with its 80%-of-AMI conventional options. It is a separate program from Lighthouse.

What is the Pima Lighthouse program?

Pima Tucson Lighthouse is a first-time buyer program from the Tucson and Pima County IDAs, released in limited funding rounds: 4% of your loan amount toward down payment and closing costs, no monthly payments on the assistance, forgiveness after five years in the home, a 640 minimum credit score with exceptions, and income limits by household size. The Pima Tucson Housing Innovation Hub listed its latest round as closed when we checked in October 2026.

Can I get Pima County down payment assistance outside Tucson city limits?

Yes. The Homebuyer's Solution and Welcome Home cover all of Pima County — Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Vail, Green Valley, Catalina Foothills, and unincorporated areas — Lighthouse does too when a round is open, and Home Plus Arizona works statewide.

Program terms, assistance amounts, and income limits change over time. Confirm current details with each program or a licensed loan officer. Educational content only — not a commitment to lend.