Last Update 1/12/2026

These programs can only be handled by approved lenders. You should have enough information here to be able to go it alone, but if you would like help from a local realtor familiar with the programs and a lender with access, fill out this form here and I will connect you with one.

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How Down Payment Assistance Works

I need to give a quick overview of how down payment assistance works. After that, the programs are listed.

With down payment assistance, you'll run into two different types:

  • A grant

  • A loan

A Grant

If we meet the qualifications up front, then it's money that does not need to be repaid.

A Loan

If the down payment assistance comes in the form of a loan, then pay attention to the three different types:

  • Repayable

  • Deferred

  • Forgivable

Repayable is just as most imagine. It charges interest over a certain amount of time, with monthly payments until it's paid off.

Deferred loans usually don't require a monthly payment, and typically don't charge interest. It's due in full when you refinance, sell the home, or when it ceases to be your primary residence.

Forgivable loans will disappear if you meet the criteria, which usually comes down to keeping the home as your primary residence for a specific amount of time.

Okay with that, here are the programs!

California

MyHome Assistance Program

  • Deferred junior loan up to 3%–3.5% of purchase price or appraised value (whichever is less)

  • Can be used for down payment and/or closing costs

  • First-time buyer required; must use a CalHFA first mortgage or FHA

  • No monthly payments; due at sale, refinance, or after 30 years

  • Active (subject to CalHFA updates)

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

GSFA Platinum Program

  • Second mortgage up to 5.5% of first mortgage amount

  • Can be used for down payment and/or closing costs

  • Available with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans

  • No first-time buyer requirement; 620+ credit score

  • 15-year fully amortizing loan with monthly payments

  • Active

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

GSFA Golden Opportunities® DPA (Statewide)

  • Up to 5% of first mortgage amount

  • 3.5% as a 15-year deferred second mortgage

  • Up to 1.5% as a forgivable gift

  • Available for FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans

  • No first-time buyer requirement

  • Active

  • https://www.gsfahome.org/programs/dpa/go.shtml

California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan (Statewide)

  • Silent second loan up to 20% of purchase price (max $150,000)

  • For first-time buyers with at least one first-generation buyer in household

  • No interest; repaid at sale/refinance as original loan plus share of appreciation

  • Lottery-based; expected to reopen in early 2026 (voucher waitlist system)

  • Website: https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/dream/

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (Targeted Disaster Areas)

  • Administered by: Golden State Finance Authority

  • Assistance: Up to $300,000 deferred second mortgage

  • Eligibility:
    • First-time buyers (limited exceptions)

    • Impacted by 2023–2024 FEMA-declared CA floods

    • Income ≤ 80% AMI

  • Repayment:
    • Deferred

    • Forgiven after 5 years of owner occupancy

  • Status: Applications opened November 2025; priority to impacted households

  • Website: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/funding/dr/hba

Home Access Program (Alameda & Contra Costa Counties)

Riverside County First-Time Homebuyer Program

  • Deferred assistance up to ~20% of purchase price

  • Income and price limits vary by funding source and city

  • 0% interest; due at sale or refinance

  • Available in unincorporated areas and participating cities

  • Active

  • https://rivcohws.org/downpayment-assistance

Los Angeles County

  • Affordable Homeownership Program

San Diego County

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

City of Los Angeles MIPA (Moderate-Income Purchase Assistance)

LACDA Home Ownership Program (HOP 80 / HOP 120)

  • HOP-80: up to $100,000 or 20% of price (≤80% AMI)

  • HOP-120: up to $85,000 or 20% of price (≤120% AMI)

  • 0% interest, fully deferred; shared-appreciation repayment

  • First-time buyer, 1% borrower down, homebuyer education required

  • Open first-come, first-served via participating lenders

  • https://www.lacda.org/home-ownership/home-ownership-program

Greenline Home Program LA County

  • $35,000 grant for down payment and/or closing costs

  • First-time buyers in high-need census tracts

  • 3% borrower contribution required

  • Forgiven after 3 years of occupancy

  • Active until funds are exhausted

  • https://dcba.lacounty.gov/greenline/

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

  • Status: You can click on the link above to be notified once funds become available.

San Francisco Teacher Next Door (TND)

FHLBank SF Middle Income DPA

FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program

  • Administered by: Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

  • Assistance:
    • 4-to-1 matching grant

    • Up to HUD maximum (≈ $32,100)

  • Eligibility:
    • First-time homebuyers

    • Income ≤ 80% AMI

    • Homebuyer counseling required

  • Repayment: Possible if sold or refinanced during retention period

  • Status: 2025 funds fully committed; lender availability varies

  • https://www.fhlbsf.com/products/community-programs-grants/wish

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

City of Chula Vista First-Time Homebuyer Program

Last Update 1/12/2026

These programs can only be handled by approved lenders. You should have enough information here to be able to go it alone, but if you would like help from a local realtor familiar with the programs and a lender with access, fill out this form here and I will connect you with one.