California First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance

California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) currently lists 3 programs for California buyers, with down payment help up to 3.5% of the loan (about $29,890 on a median-priced home) through MyHome Assistance Program. Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.

California first-time buyer programs open now

California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 3 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs. CalHFA's standard first-time homebuyer definition applies to MyHome, ZIP, MyAccess, and Dream For All (linked from program pages as 'see the definition of a first-time homebuyer';

ProgramTypeAmountFirst-time onlyMin. creditIncome limit
MyHome Assistance Program sourceDeferred second loanUp to the lesser of 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value (with a CalHFA FHA/Government first mortgage) or 3% (with a CalHFA Conventional first mortgage), for down payment and/or closing costsYesn/aMust meet CalHFA income limits for the program and county of purchase;
CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP) sourceDeferred second loan2.00% or 3.00% of the CalPLUS first mortgage loan amount, for closing costs onlyYesn/aMust meet CalHFA income limits for the CalPLUS FHA or CalPLUS Conventional program
California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program sourceProgramUp to 20% of the home purchase price for down payment or closing costs, not to exceed $150,000Yesn/aCombined household income must meet CalHFA Income Limits for the county of purchase;
  • MyHome Assistance Program. Terms: Deferred-payment junior 'silent second' loan; no payment due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid in full Purchase price limit: None statewide - CalHFA removed sales price limits on eligible properties effective 6/1/2020 (Program Bulletin 2020-07); Must pair with: A CalHFA first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional) Homebuyer education: required Program page
  • CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP). Terms: Zero-interest silent second loan, third lien position behind MyHome if both are used; payments deferred for the life of the CalPLUS first mortgage Purchase price limit: None statewide (see MyHome note on the 2020 sales-price-limit removal) Must pair with: CalPLUS FHA or CalPLUS Conventional first mortgage only Homebuyer education: required Program page
  • California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program. Terms: Shared appreciation loan: on sale, transfer, or payoff of the first mortgage, the homebuyer repays the original loan amount plus a share of the home's appreciation (full share, or a reduced 0.75x/15% share for borrowers at or below 80% AMI); homebuyer must register and be randomly selected for a voucher, not first-come-first-served Must pair with: Dream For All Conventional first mortgage Homebuyer education: required Program page

City and county programs in California

Local governments run their own down payment funds on top of the state programs. These can be combined with a state loan in most cases; each has its own income limit and area.

  • Los Angeles County (LA County Development Authority): HOP80 / HOP150 Home Ownership Program. Up to $100,000, or 20% of the purchase price, whichever is less. Deferred second loan. Income limit: Income-eligible per LACDA program limits (80% AMI for HOP80, higher tier for HOP150;. First-time buyers only. Official page
  • City of San Diego (administered by San Diego Housing Commission): SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Low-Income Program. Deferred down-payment loan up to 17% of the purchase price, not to exceed $125,000, plus a forgivable closing-cost grant of 4% of the purchase price up to $10,000. deferred second + grant. Income limit: At or below 80% of San Diego's Area Median Income. First-time buyers only. Official page

How little you can put down

You do not need 20% down. Conventional loans go as low as 3% (through programs like Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible), FHA loans start at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can require nothing down. On California's median-priced home (about $854,000), 3% down is roughly $25,620. Putting 20% down lets you skip private mortgage insurance, but most first-time buyers put down far less.

Who counts as a first-time buyer

For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years, so many repeat buyers qualify again. California programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

Stack a buyer rebate on top in California

Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in California you can use both. Assistance from California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $17,080 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.

See California buyer rebates →   See California closing costs →

You may qualify for more help in your county

City and county governments in California run their own down payment programs on top of the state ones, and most can be combined with a state loan. Each county page lists the local programs, income limits and local closing costs alongside the state programs:

Frequently asked questions

What first-time home buyer programs are available in California?

California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) lists 3 programs: MyHome Assistance Program, CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP), California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program. Down payment help runs up to 3.5% of the loan (about $29,890 on a median-priced home). Los Angeles County (LA County Development Authority), City of San Diego (administered by San Diego Housing Commission) also run local down payment programs.

How much down payment assistance can you get in California?

Up to 3.5% of the loan (about $29,890 on a median-priced home) through MyHome Assistance Program (deferred second loan). Other California programs offer different amounts; see the table on this page for each one.

Do you have to be a first-time buyer to qualify in California?

CalHFA's standard first-time homebuyer definition applies to MyHome, ZIP, MyAccess, and Dream For All (linked from program pages as 'see the definition of a first-time homebuyer'; the definition text itself was not reached this session, but is generally not having owned a home in the prior 3 years)

How much down payment do you need in California?

As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On California's median-priced home (about $854,000), 3% is roughly $25,620. You do not need 20% down, though 20% lets you avoid mortgage insurance.

Who counts as a first-time home buyer?

For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years. Some California programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in California?

Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in California. Assistance helps with your down payment and closing costs up front; a rebate returns about 2% of the price at closing, which you can put toward closing costs. You can use both.

Official sources

California program details last verified against California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) on September 11, 2026.

Read the full guide to the cash you need to buy →

This is general information, not financial advice. Program details, limits, and loan terms change; confirm the current rules with California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) and your lender before you rely on them.

See first-time buyer programs in all states