First-time home buyer programs in Tucson

Who is eligible for Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program (City of Tucson-Pima County HOME Consortium)?

• This applies across the City of Tucson and Pima County, except Tribal lands.
• Your household income can't be more than 80% of the HUD Area Median Income. Limits vary by family size, from $55,900 for a household of 1 to $105,450 for a household of 8.
• You must be buying a home for the first time.
• You'll need to take a homebuyer education course.
• HUD sets the maximum purchase price, and the limit may change. For existing homes, the limit is $304,000. For newly constructed homes, it is $345,000.
• Before you sign the purchase contract, get HUD-certified homebuyer counseling from an agency that takes part.
• You need to put at least $1,000 of your own money toward the purchase, and the inspection cost may count.

You make no monthly payments on this deferred loan. Interest of 2% applies during the affordability period, which lasts 5, 10 or 15 years based on the amount. After that, accrued interest is forgiven, and you repay the principal when you sell the home.

Nothing is due each month on a deferred loan. The full amount becomes payable when you sell the home, refinance it or pay off the first mortgage.

For help, contact a housing counseling partner such as Administration of Resources and Choices. You can also reach Chicanos Por La Causa or Pima County Community Land Trust. Send your application to a partner, since the HOME Consortium doesn't accept them directly. On City of Tucson Housing and Community Development's page for Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program (City of Tucson-Pima County HOME Consortium), read the full rules.