California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) Programs:
Updated June 1, 2026CalHFA offers 30‑year fixed first mortgages (FHA, VA, USDA, conventional) with stacking down payment and closing‑cost assistance. Income, sales‑price, and household‑size limits are county‑ and program‑specific—check CalHFA for the latest rules and county tables: CalHFA Homeownership and CalHFA Income & Sales Price Limits.
CalHFA Conventional Loan Program:
Eligibility: Typically first‑time buyers (no ownership in past 3 years) unless otherwise allowed by program. Mandatory homebuyer education for most CalHFA loans.
Offerings: 30‑year fixed conventional first mortgages (HFA‑specific products) at competitive pricing for eligible borrowers.
Common requirements (see lender matrix for full detail):
- Income must be at or below county‑specific CalHFA limits (varies by household size; see CalHFA limits). Examples are illustrative only—verify exact limits for your county and household size.
- Minimum credit score: commonly in the 660–680 range depending on program and income tier (manufactured‑home rules can differ). See the CalHFA lender matrix for program‑specific thresholds.
- Debt‑to‑income (DTI) caps vary by credit score and program (CalHFA matrices show common caps at ~45%–50% depending on credit score and product).
- Homebuyer education required for most CalHFA first‑mortgage borrowers.
MyHome Assistance Program:
Benefits: Deferred‑payment junior loan to help with down payment and/or closing costs. Amounts vary by first‑mortgage pairing: up to 3.5% of purchase price/appraised value with CalHFA government (FHA) first mortgages and up to 3% with CalHFA conventional first mortgages. No monthly payments; repay on sale, refinance or payoff. (CalHFA MyHome)
CalPLUS with ZIP (Zero Interest Program):
Description: CalPLUS first mortgages are offered with mandatory ZIP closing‑cost assistance in many CalPLUS Conventional structures. ZIP provides a zero‑interest deferred junior loan for closing costs only—typically available in 2% or 3% options of the first mortgage (CalHFA program matrices and bulletins govern which ZIP option is allowed). ZIP must be structured per CalHFA rules and often requires MyHome in the stack for down payment. (CalHFA CalPLUS / ZIP)
Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan:
Description: Shared‑appreciation junior loan for down payment/closing costs paired with a CalHFA first mortgage. Assistance is the lesser of 20% of the purchase price or $150,000. At least one borrower must meet the program's first‑generation homebuyer definition. Repayment includes the original loan plus a share of appreciation on sale or refinance. (CalHFA Dream For All)
Status: Dream For All runs by reservation/registration and can be lottery‑based; a 2026 voucher registration window opened in late February (Feb 24–Mar 16, 2026). Check CalHFA for the current portal/lottery status before advising clients.
Local Programs (examples and current official links):
City and county programs add deferred, forgivable, or shared‑appreciation assistance. Availability and reservation/lottery timing change often—follow the local pages linked below.
Los Angeles
Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA): City of Los Angeles program offering up to $161,000 as a zero‑percent, deferred second with a shared‑appreciation provision for eligible first‑time buyers inside the city. Requirements include a middle FICO minimum (commonly 660), homebuyer education and a minimum buyer contribution; LAHD posts reservation/lottery dates and the current round schedule. (LAHD LIPA)
San Diego
SDHC First‑Time Homebuyer Programs (Middle‑Income example): City of San Diego Middle‑Income program commonly offers $40,000 deferred down‑payment loan + $10,000 closing‑cost grant (total $50,000) for households at roughly 80–150% AMI, with a maximum purchase cap published by SDHC (check the city page for current caps). Funding status and program guidelines are posted on SDHC’s site. (SDHC First‑Time Homebuyer Programs)
San Francisco
Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP): MOHCD provides DALP loans up to $500,000 (silent second/shared‑appreciation, lottery/reservation process) with different funding sources and priority buckets. 2025 application cycles closed—check MOHCD for the next round and lottery timeline. (SF MOHCD DALP)
Additional Information:
- Teacher & Employee Assistance: CalHFA and many local programs offer teacher/employee‑specific junior loans—amounts and terms vary. See CalHFA special programs and local housing pages.
- USDA Loans: 0% down in eligible rural areas; program income and location limits apply—verify with USDA and CalHFA lenders. (USDA Rural Development)
- VA Loans: 0% down for eligible veterans/active‑duty borrowers (confirm VA entitlement and lender overlays).
- FHA Loans: Typical FHA down payment is 3.5% with qualifying credit scores usually around 580+ (lower tiers exist at higher down payment levels per HUD guidance; lenders often have overlays). (See HUD Mortgagee Letter 10‑29 and FHA handbook for details.)
Programs and funding move quickly. For exact county limits, current fund status, and the correct stacking order, always review the official program pages linked above and work with a CalHFA‑approved lender.
Seeking Agents® connects you with California agents who know these programs and compete to offer reduced commissions or extra support—free for buyers/sellers!