Pima County home buyers can access three major affordability programs in 2026: Pima Tucson Lighthouse (up to 4% forgivable down payment assistance, sometimes called the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution), Home Plus Arizona (up to 5% DPA statewide), and the Tucson Welcome Home Program (zero-down, no-PMI credit union loans). All three cover the entire county — Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Vail, Green Valley, and beyond.

Pima County Down Payment Assistance: Every Program for 2026

Searches for "Pima County down payment assistance" turn up a confusing mix of program names — Lighthouse, Homebuyer's Solution, Home Plus, Welcome Home. Some are the same program under different names; some are completely different structures. Here's the untangled version.

The Program Names, Untangled

Pima Tucson Lighthouse and the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution refer to the same family of county-level assistance: a forgivable second lien worth up to 4% of your loan amount for first-time buyers in Pima County. Our complete Lighthouse guide covers eligibility in depth.

Home Plus Arizona is the state program — up to 5% 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 two DPA programs share the same basic mechanics:

• Assistance amount: up to 4% (Lighthouse) or 5% (Home Plus) of your loan amount
• Structure: second lien, no monthly payments, no interest
• Forgiveness: balance forgiven after the required occupancy period
• Use of funds: down payment first, then closing costs
• Loan pairing: works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional first mortgages

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 DPA programs; about 660 for Welcome Home
2. Income limits: all three cap household income, scaled to household size — see how income limits work and how household size raises 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 welcomes 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 need the down payment covered and want potentially forgivable help, start with Lighthouse or Home Plus. 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 Pima Tucson Lighthouse (up to 4% forgivable assistance for first-time buyers), Home Plus Arizona (up to 5%, repeat buyers welcome), and the Tucson Welcome Home Program (zero-down credit union loans with no PMI). All three cover every community in the county.

What is the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution?

It's the county-level down payment assistance offering associated with the Pima Tucson Lighthouse program — up to 4% of the loan amount as a forgivable second lien for first-time buyers purchasing in Pima County, paired with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage.

What is the Pima Lighthouse program?

Pima Tucson Lighthouse is Pima County's flagship DPA program: up to 4% of your loan amount toward down payment and closing costs, no monthly payments on the assistance, forgiveness after the required occupancy period, a 640 minimum credit score, and income limits by household size.

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

Yes. Lighthouse and Welcome Home cover all of Pima County — Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Vail, Green Valley, Catalina Foothills, and unincorporated areas — 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.