What down payment assistance does California offer?
| Program | Amount | Type | Min. credit | First-time only? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program | Up to the lesser of 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value (FHA) | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | Yes |
| City of Chula Vista First-Time Homebuyer Program | Up to 22% of purchase price, not to exceed $120,000 | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | See program |
| Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP) | Up to $500,000 | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | Yes |
| Educators Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (Educator DALP) | Up to $500,000 | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | Yes |
| First Responders Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (FRDALP) | Up to $500,000 | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | Yes |
| First-Time Homebuyer Program (My Anaheim Home) | $50,000 | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | Yes |
| First-Time Homebuyers' Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) | Up to $100,000 | Forgivable loan | Not stated | Yes |
| Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) Program | Up to $161,000 | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | Yes |
| Middle-Income First-Time Homebuyer Program | $50,000 total ($40,000 deferred down payment loan plus $10,000 closing cost grant) | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | Yes |
| My First Home Program | Up to $120,000 | Deferred-payment loan | Not stated | Yes |
How do I apply for California down payment assistance?
- Find a participating lender approved by California Housing Finance Agency.
- Get pre-approved for the agency's first mortgage and confirm you meet income and price limits.
- Complete the required homebuyer education course.
- Your lender reserves the assistance when you go under contract.
Cities in California
Other states with verified programs
Frequently asked questions
CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program: Up to the lesser of 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value (FHA); City of Chula Vista First-Time Homebuyer Program: Up to 22% of purchase price, not to exceed $120,000; Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP): Up to $500,000; Educators Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (Educator DALP): Up to $500,000; First Responders Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (FRDALP): Up to $500,000; First-Time Homebuyer Program (My Anaheim Home): $50,000; First-Time Homebuyers' Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP): Up to $100,000; Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) Program: Up to $161,000; Middle-Income First-Time Homebuyer Program: $50,000 total ($40,000 deferred down payment loan plus $10,000 closing cost grant); My First Home Program: Up to $120,000.
Most verified programs here target first-time buyers or have eligibility exceptions; check each program's official page.
The agency sets credit requirements with its participating lenders; most require at least a 620–640 score.
Sources
- California Housing Finance Agency — CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program (verified October 23, 2026)
- City of Chula Vista (administered by San Diego Housing Commission) — City of Chula Vista First-Time Homebuyer Program (verified October 25, 2026)
- San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) — Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP) (verified October 25, 2026)
- San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) — Educators Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (Educator DALP) (verified October 25, 2026)
- San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) — First Responders Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (FRDALP) (verified October 25, 2026)
- City of Anaheim — First-Time Homebuyer Program (My Anaheim Home) (verified October 25, 2026)
- City of Fresno (Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds) — First-Time Homebuyers' Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) (verified October 25, 2026)
- Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) — Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) Program (verified October 25, 2026)
- San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) — Middle-Income First-Time Homebuyer Program (verified October 25, 2026)
- City of Santa Ana Housing Division — My First Home Program (verified October 25, 2026)
Data last updated October 25, 2026.
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Get My MatchesFigures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.