CalHFA pairs its 30-year first mortgages with loans you don't repay until you sell or refinance: MyHome (up to 3.5% of the price), ZIP for closing costs and MyAccess. GSFA Platinum adds up to 5.5% with no first-time requirement. The biggest checks come from cities and counties — up to $500,000 from San Francisco's DALP, $161,000 from Los Angeles' LIPA and $125,000 in the City of San Diego.
CalHFA
Up to 3.5% of the price or appraised value with an FHA first mortgage; up to 3% with conventional, VA or USDA
RepaymentDeferred: no payments until the home is sold, refinanced or the first mortgage is paid in full
Works withMust be combined with a CalHFA first mortgage
CalHFA
2% or 3% of the first mortgage, for closing costs and prepaid items only
RepaymentDeferred (CalHFA subordinate loans are silent seconds)
Works withOnly with a CalPLUS FHA or CalPLUS Conventional first mortgage (slightly higher rate than CalHFA's standard loan)
CalHFA
2.5% of the first mortgage, for down payment or closing costs
RepaymentDeferred (CalHFA subordinate loans are silent seconds)
Works withOnly with a CalPLUS Access FHA or Conventional first mortgage; MyHome is mandatory alongside it
CalHFA
30-year fixed-rate first mortgage up to FHA county / conforming loan limits
RepaymentRegular monthly payments
Works withThe anchor loan for MyHome, ZIP and MyAccess
CalHFA
Up to 20% of the price or appraised value, capped at $150,000
RepaymentRepay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation when you sell, transfer or pay off the first mortgage
Works withDream For All Conventional first mortgage (mandatory)
Funding round by random selection; the 2026 application window ran February 24 to March 16, 2026
Golden State Finance Authority (public joint powers authority)
Up to 5.5% of the first mortgage (Standard: up to 5% as a second mortgage; extra gift for some options)
RepaymentStandard option: 15-year second mortgage with monthly payments at the first-mortgage rate; any gift portion is not repaid
Works withFHA, VA, USDA or conventional first mortgage from a GSFA participating lender
Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD)
Up to $161,000 for down payment, closing costs and acquisition
Repayment0% interest, no monthly payments; principal plus a share of appreciation due on sale, transfer, first-mortgage payoff or after 30 years
Works withFirst mortgage from a participating lender; buyer puts at least 1% down
Loan reservations follow LAHD's published schedule because funds are limited
Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA)
Up to $100,000 or 20% of the price, whichever is less
Repayment0% interest, deferred repayment with shared equity when the home is sold, transferred or no longer owner-occupied
Works withFirst mortgage from a HOP participating lender; buyer invests at least 1% of their own funds
Applications first-come, first-served
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC)
Deferred loan up to 17% of the price (max $125,000) plus a closing-cost grant of 4% of the price up to $10,000
Repayment3% simple interest, deferred; closing-cost grant forgiven
Works withFixed-rate first mortgage
Funds available (per SDHC)
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC)
$40,000 deferred down payment loan plus a $10,000 closing-cost grant
Repayment4% simple interest; deferred for 5 years, then 120 monthly payments; grant forgiven after 3 years of owner occupancy
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) for the County of San Diego
Deferred loan up to 22% of the price plus a closing-cost loan of 4% of the price up to $10,000
Repayment3% simple interest, deferred
Funds available (per SDHC)
San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD)
Up to $500,000
RepaymentDeferred; repay principal plus a proportional share of appreciation at resale or maturity
Works withFirst mortgage from a MOHCD-approved lender; buyer contributes cash
Loans are awarded through an annual lottery; check MOHCD for the current round (terms from the September 2025 manual)
County of Orange, OC Housing & Community Development
Up to $120,000 (low income, 80% AMI) or $80,000 (moderate income, 120% AMI)
Repayment3% simple interest, deferred payment, 30-year term
Works withBuyer puts at least 1% down
CalHFA's mortgage credit certificate program is closed (by April 2019); City of Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) still issues them locally. California's MCC status, sources and calculator.
Amounts, limits and funding change during the year, and many local programs run out of money before the year ends — confirm current terms with the agency or a participating lender before you apply. Spotted an outdated program? Tell us.
What each program's own terms ask of you. "Not stated" means the official page doesn't publish it — the agency or the first-mortgage lender sets it. Most programs count you as a first-time buyer if you haven't owned a home in three years; see the federal definitions and exceptions.
| Program | First-time buyer | Min. credit score | Income limit | Price limit | Homebuyer education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyHome Assistance Program | Required | 640Set by the CalHFA first mortgage: 640 for FHA/VA/USDA (DTI up to 45%), 680 for conventional; 700 if DTI is 45–50% | CalHFA county income limits | No sales price limit | Required (homebuyer education and counseling) |
| Zero Interest Program (ZIP) | Not stated | 640Through the CalPLUS first mortgage: 640 FHA, 680 conventional | CalHFA county income limits | No sales price limit | Required |
| MyAccess | Not stated | 640Through the CalPLUS Access first mortgage: 640 FHA, 680 conventional | CalHFA county income limits | No sales price limit | Required |
| CalHFA first mortgages (FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, CalPLUS) | Required only when paired with MyHome or other CalHFA down payment help | 640640 FHA/VA/USDA, 680 conventional; 700 with DTI above 45% | CalHFA county income limits | No sales price limit | Required for first-time buyers |
| California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan | First-time and first-generation (at least one borrower) | 680 | Separate Dream For All county income limits | No sales price limit | 8-hour homebuyer education plus CalHFA shared-appreciation education |
| GSFA Platinum | Not required | 640 | GSFA DPA income limits (low-to-moderate) | No purchase price limit; first mortgage up to $832,750 | Not stated |
| Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) | Required (no ownership interest in the last three years) | 660 | 80% of AMI by household size ($93,300 for one person in 2026) | $956,465 | 8-hour homebuyer education class plus housing counseling |
| Home Ownership Program (HOP80 / HOP120) | Required (no home owned in the last three years) | Not stated | 80% AMI (HOP80) or 120% AMI (HOP120) by household size | $700,000 (HOP80) / $850,000 (HOP120) | 8-hour homebuyer education seminar from a HUD-approved agency |
| SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Program — City of San Diego, low income | Required | Not stated | 80% of San Diego AMI | $883,025 (effective December 2025) | Homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling |
| SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Middle-Income Program | Required | Not stated | 80% to 150% of San Diego AMI | $1,250,000 | Not stated |
| SDHC County of San Diego Low-Income Program | Required | Not stated | 80% of San Diego AMI | $743,000 (effective June 1, 2026) | Not stated |
| Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP) | Required (no household member owned residential property in the prior three years) | Not stated | Up to 200% of AMI | Not stated | Homebuyer education before applying; post-purchase workshops expected |
| Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) | Required | Not stated | 80% or 120% of AMI by household size (State HCD limits, June 2026) | Up to 85% of the Orange County median sales price | Homebuyer education workshop and one-on-one housing counseling |
CalHFA sets one household income limit per county, whatever the household size, for its first mortgages and MyHome, ZIP and MyAccess; Dream For All uses its own, lower table. There is no sales price limit. Effective Jun 30, 2026.
| County | CalHFA programs | Dream For All |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda | $322,000 | $257,000 |
| Alpine | $256,000 | $205,000 |
| Amador | $218,000 | $175,000 |
| Butte | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Calaveras | $203,000 | $162,000 |
| Colusa | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Contra Costa | $322,000 | $257,000 |
| Del Norte | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| El Dorado | $245,000 | $196,000 |
| Fresno | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Glenn | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Humboldt | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Imperial | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Inyo | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Kern | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Kings | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Lake | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Lassen | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Los Angeles | $214,000 | $171,000 |
| Madera | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Marin | $325,000 | $310,000 |
| Mariposa | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Mendocino | $196,000 | $156,000 |
| Merced | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Modoc | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Mono | $238,000 | $190,000 |
| Monterey | $218,000 | $175,000 |
| Napa | $325,000 | $262,000 |
| Nevada | $278,000 | $222,000 |
| Orange | $274,000 | $219,000 |
| Placer | $245,000 | $196,000 |
| Plumas | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Riverside | $210,000 | $168,000 |
| Sacramento | $245,000 | $196,000 |
| San Benito | $277,000 | $222,000 |
| San Bernardino | $210,000 | $168,000 |
| San Diego | $259,000 | $207,000 |
| San Francisco | $325,000 | $310,000 |
| San Joaquin | $214,000 | $171,000 |
| San Luis Obispo | $256,000 | $205,000 |
| San Mateo | $325,000 | $310,000 |
| Santa Barbara | $235,000 | $188,000 |
| Santa Clara | $325,000 | $310,000 |
| Santa Cruz | $271,000 | $217,000 |
| Shasta | $201,000 | $161,000 |
| Sierra | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Siskiyou | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Solano | $246,000 | $197,000 |
| Sonoma | $264,000 | $211,000 |
| Stanislaus | $195,000 | $156,000 |
| Sutter | $201,000 | $161,000 |
| Tehama | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Trinity | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Tulare | $192,000 | $153,000 |
| Tuolumne | $202,000 | $161,000 |
| Ventura | $268,000 | $214,000 |
| Yolo | $269,000 | $215,000 |
| Yuba | $201,000 | $161,000 |
Sources: All CalHFA first mortgages and subordinate loans (MyHome, ZIP, MyAccess); excludes Dream For All (calhfa.ca.gov); Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan (calhfa.ca.gov). Limits are reset every year — check the agency's current table before you apply.
The 10 counties with the most home purchases, priced at each county's median list price. CalHFA MyHome: up to 3.5% of the price with a CalHFA FHA loan. In 6 of 10, the income it takes to carry that home still fits under the program's limit.
| County | Median list price | Cash to close | MyHome covers | You still need | Income to afford | CalHFA income limit | Fits the program? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $950,000 | $39,212 | $33,250 | $5,962 | $317,000 | $214,000 | Income needed is above the limit |
| Riverside | $629,000 | $27,977 | $22,015 | $5,962 | $210,000 | $210,000 | Yes |
| San Diego | $888,450 | $37,058 | $31,096 | $5,962 | $296,000 | $259,000 | Income needed is above the limit |
| San Bernardino | $531,944 | $24,580 | $18,618 | $5,962 | $177,000 | $210,000 | Yes |
| Orange | $1,287,500 | $51,025 | $45,063 | $5,962 | $429,000 | $274,000 | Income needed is above the limit |
| Sacramento | $531,950 | $24,580 | $18,618 | $5,962 | $177,000 | $245,000 | Yes |
| Santa Clara | $1,409,500 | $55,295 | $49,333 | $5,962 | $470,000 | $325,000 | Income needed is above the limit |
| Alameda | $929,944 | $38,510 | $32,548 | $5,962 | $310,000 | $322,000 | Yes |
| Contra Costa | $752,750 | $32,308 | $26,346 | $5,962 | $251,000 | $322,000 | Yes |
| Kern | $396,500 | $19,840 | $13,878 | $5,962 | $132,000 | $192,000 | Yes |
Estimates, not a quote. Median list price: Realtor.com, October 2026. Cash to close = 3.5% down (the FHA minimum) + $5,962, California's average closing costs including transfer taxes (closing costs by state). Income to afford = principal and interest at 7.18% (Freddie Mac 30-year average), the 0.55% FHA annual premium, California's 0.76% effective property tax and 0.20% homeowners insurance, kept within 28% of gross income. The program also has to accept the home and you — see the requirements above.
Prefilled with California's $719,000 median list price, 3.5% down, 0.8% closing costs and MyHome Assistance Program's terms. Change any field to match your quote.
A deferred loan has no payments, but it is a debt: it is repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the first mortgage.
30-year fixed first mortgage; monthly figures are principal and interest only. Assistance is capped at your down payment plus closing costs. For the full monthly payment with California's taxes and insurance, use the California mortgage calculator.
Most assistance sits on top of an FHA, VA or USDA loan, or a 97% conventional one. Of the 248,603 conventional, FHA and VA first mortgages made to buy a home in California in 2025, 16.1% were FHA and 6.2% VA, against 18.7% and 9.7% nationally. The median 30-year fixed FHA purchase loan was $485,000 (U.S. $305,000), and those borrowers paid a median $17,102 in total loan costs (U.S. $11,291).
Source: HMDA 2025 loan-level records, first-lien home-purchase originations. HMDA doesn't record whether a borrower is a first-time buyer, and the lenders listed aren't necessarily approved for CalHFA's programs — find those through CalHFA — find a loan officer.
| Lender | FHA purchase loans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Shore Financial Services, LLC | 7,132 | 17.8% |
| Rocket Mortgage, LLC | 2,196 | 5.5% |
| Ocmbc, Inc. | 1,604 | 4.0% |
| Kind Lending, LLC | 1,549 | 3.9% |
| Lennar Mortgage, LLC | 1,408 | 3.5% |
287 lenders made FHA purchase loans in California. Compare them on California mortgage lenders.
It depends on the program and the county. CalHFA's 2026 limit for its first mortgages, MyHome, ZIP and MyAccess runs from $192,000 to $325,000 (Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara) — $214,000 in Los Angeles and $259,000 in San Diego, for any household size.
Dream For All uses lower limits ($171,000 in Los Angeles). City programs use area median income: LA's LIPA tops out at $93,300 for one person.
Only through Dream For All, and not right now. CalHFA's shared-appreciation loan covers up to 20% of the price, capped at $150,000, for first-generation, first-time buyers; you repay it plus a share of the home's appreciation when you sell or refinance.
Applications are chosen at random, and the 2026 window ran February 24 to March 16. MyHome — up to 3.5% — is available year-round.
For CalHFA's programs: a first-time buyer (no home owned and occupied in the past three years), household income under the county limit, an owner-occupied home, homebuyer education and counseling, and a credit score of at least 640 with an FHA loan or 680 with a conventional one (700 if your debt-to-income ratio is above 45%). GSFA Platinum is open to repeat buyers with scores from 640.
Yes, through GSFA Platinum, which has no first-time requirement: up to 5% of the loan as a 15-year second with monthly payments, plus a gift portion in some options.
CalHFA's MyHome and Dream For All require first-time buyers, as do the Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Orange County programs.
Most California help is a loan, not a gift. CalHFA's seconds come due when you sell or refinance; Dream For All, LA's LIPA, LA County's HOP and San Francisco's DALP also take a share of your home's appreciation; and the CalPLUS first mortgages behind ZIP and MyAccess carry a slightly higher rate. Compare the total cost with and without the program before you choose.
About $240,000 a year for a home at the $719,000 state median list price with 3.5% down, if the $5,593 monthly payment (principal, interest, FHA premium, tax and insurance) stays within 28% of gross income — above CalHFA's $214,000 limit in Los Angeles. A $500,000 home needs about $167,000.
How we built this page: each program was read on its official page — the agency's, city's or county's own site, or the Internet Archive's copy of that page where the site blocked our checker — on October 22, 2026, and every amount and limit above appears on the source we link. By the Editorial Team; see our editorial policy and methodology.