Hey there! If you're thinking of buying a home for the first time, and haven't saved up for a down payment, you still might be able to get it done.

Before I jump into the programs, let me briefly explain how down payment assistance works.

How it works

Down payment assistance comes in two forms: a grant, or a loan

A grant doesn't require repayment.

A loan does require repayment, but there are 3 different ways:

Monthly repayment. This is where they charge you interest and a monthly payment until the loan is paid off

Silent second. This is where they don't charge you interest, they don't charge you monthly payments, they just require that you pay it back when you sell the home.

Forgivable. This is where they forgive the loan as long as you meet certain criteria. A common requirement is that you live in the home as your primary residence for a set number of years. Once you've completed the timeframe, they forgive your loan and you don't need to pay it.

Approved lenders only

These programs can only be handled by approved lenders. If you would like help from a local realtor familiar with the programs and lenders with access, fill out this form here and I will connect you with one.

Now that we have that out of the way, let's jump in! Below are the local programs available to help make homeownership more accessible.

California

MyHome Assistance Program

  • Administered by: California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA)

  • Assistance: Offers a deferred-payment junior loan of up to 3% of the purchase price or appraised value to assist with down payment and/or closing costs.

  • Eligibility: First-time homebuyers who meet CalHFA income limits and other requirements.

  • Website: CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program  https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/homebuyer/programs/myhome.htm

GSFA Platinum Program

  • Administered by: Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA)

  • Assistance: Provides down payment and/or closing cost assistance, which can be forgiven under certain conditions.

  • Eligibility: No first-time homebuyer requirement; various mortgage loan types available.

  • Website: GSFA Platinum Program  https://www.gsfahome.org/programs/dpa/platinum.shtml

Los Angeles County

  • Affordable Homeownership Program

San Diego County

These programs can only be handled by approved lenders. If you would like help from a local realtor familiar with the programs and lenders, fill out this form here and I will connect you with one.

Monterey County

City of Emeryville

City of Santa Ana

  • Downpayment Assistance Program
    • Assistance: Provides eligible applicants up to $120,000 for down payment assistance.

    • Eligibility: Applicants must meet income requirements and other criteria.

    • Website: https://www.santa-ana.org/my-first-home/

Central Valley Counties

City of Los Angeles

Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) Program

  • Assistance: Provides deferred payment loans of up to $161,000 to low-income, first-time homebuyers for down payment, acquisition, and closing costs.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must meet income limits, be first-time homebuyers, and occupy the purchased property as their primary residence.

  • Repayment: The loan is due upon sale, title transfer, first mortgage repayment, or if the borrower ceases to occupy the property as their primary residence.

  • Website: https://housing.lacity.gov/housing/helping-low-income-first-time-homebuyers

These programs can only be handled by approved lenders. If you would like help from a local realtor familiar with the programs and lenders, fill out this form here and I will connect you with one.

City of San Francisco

Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP)

  • Assistance: Offers a deferred payment loan up to $500,000 to qualified low- to middle-income first-time homebuyers for down payment and closing costs.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must meet income limits, be first-time homebuyers, and purchase a property within San Francisco.

  • Repayment: The loan is due upon sale, title transfer, or if the borrower ceases to occupy the property as their primary residence.

  • Website: https://www.sf.gov/reports--december-2024--downpayment-assistance-loan-program-dalp

City of Oakland

First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)

  • Assistance: Provides a deferred-payment loan of up to $100,000 or 30% of the purchase price, whichever is less, to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must meet income limits, be first-time homebuyers, and purchase a property within Oakland.

  • Repayment: The loan is due upon sale, title transfer, or if the borrower ceases to occupy the property as their primary residence.

  • Website: https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/first-time-homebuyer-mortgage-assistance-program-map

  • Currently suspended for lack of funds *2/3/2025

Pathway to Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program

  • Administered by: California Association of REALTORS® Housing Affordability Fund (HAF)

  • Assistance: Provides grants of up to $10,000 to first-time homebuyers who are members of underserved communities, including persons with disabilities.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time homebuyers, members of an underserved community (which includes individuals with disabilities), and meet income requirements (no more than 120% of the Area Median Income).

  • Repayment: This is a true grant with no repayment required.

  • Website: https://www.car.org/difference/haf/hafclosingcostgrantprogram

California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan

Also offered by CalHFA, this program provides down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers to be used in conjunction with the Dream For All Conventional first mortgage. The assistance is structured as a shared appreciation loan, meaning repayment is based on a percentage of the home's appreciation upon sale or refinance.https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/dream/

These programs can only be handled by approved lenders. If you would like help from a local realtor familiar with the programs and lenders, fill out this form here and I will connect you with one.