San Bernardino County, California
Fontana's $535K median price sits inside the $644K FHA limit. That means buyers access maximum DPA coverage without loan constraints. Here is every program available in 2026.
Most buyers look at Fontana's Inland Empire price point and think "affordable." What they miss is how that price creates maximum DPA leverage. When your home price sits below the FHA loan limit, every dollar of down payment assistance applies cleanly -- no partial coverage, no loan gaps, no workarounds.
San Bernardino County's FHA limit is $644,000. Fontana's median home price of approximately $535,000 sits $109,000 below that ceiling. That gap means a buyer using CalHFA or GSFA gets full coverage from their DPA stack. No second loan needed to bridge a price overage. No conventional loan required because FHA maxed out.
The result: a first-time buyer household earning $95,000 could purchase a $535,000 Fontana home with as little as $5,000-$8,000 in personal cash, using DPA to cover both the down payment and closing costs. A two-income household earning $120,000 -- well inside GSFA's $124,800 limit -- could qualify for a $26,750 grant that requires zero repayment.
This page covers every active program, their income limits, how to stack them, and two buyer scenarios with real numbers. Start here, then use the eligibility tool to see which programs fit your income and purchase price.
Up to 5% of loan amount as a direct grant. No repayment ever. No first-time buyer requirement. 640 min credit, income up to $124,800.
3-3.5% of purchase price. 0% interest, no monthly payment. Due on sale or refinance. First-time buyer required. Income up to ~$118,000.
Up to 4% for closing costs. Stacks on top of MyHome. Forgiven after 3 years of occupancy. Reduces total cash needed at closing.
Federal HOME funds managed by San Bernardino County. Targets 80% AMI buyers (~$62,400). Deferred until sale. Funding limited and periodic.
3.5-5% assistance. No income limit. 600+ credit. Works with FHA. Ideal for buyers earning above GSFA or CalHFA thresholds.
Companion grant program to GSFA Platinum. Covers closing costs in addition to down payment assistance. Combined with Platinum for full coverage.
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSFA Platinum | Grant | Up to 5% | Open |
| CalHFA MyHome | Deferred Loan | 3-3.5% | Open |
| CalHFA ZIP | Closing Costs | Up to 4% | Open |
| Chenoa Fund | Grant / DPA | 3.5-5% | Open |
| SB County HOME DPA | Deferred Loan | Up to $60,000 | Estimated |
| City of Fontana FTHB | Deferred Loan | Varies | Estimated |
| Dream For All | Shared Appreciation | Up to 20% | Closed 3/16/26 |
Dream For All closed March 16, 2026. New applications are not being accepted. Use CalHFA or GSFA as primary alternatives.
Answer 5 questions. Get a personalized list of programs, estimated assistance amounts, and next steps.
Check My EligibilitySan Bernardino County's FHA loan limit of $644,000 is a threshold most Fontana buyers never approach. With a median home price around $535,000, nearly all purchases in Fontana are FHA-eligible with room to spare.
That matters because DPA programs attach to the loan amount. When your price is below the FHA limit, you can finance the full purchase with FHA (3.5% down), then layer DPA on top to cover that 3.5% plus closing costs. No gap to fill, no conventional loan required, no private mortgage insurance difference to calculate.
| Home Price | FHA Eligible? | CalHFA+ZIP DPA | GSFA Grant | Buyer Cash Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $450,000 | Yes | $31,500 (7%) | $22,500 (5%) | ~$3,000-5,000 |
| $535,000 (median) | Yes | $37,450 (7%) | $26,750 (5%) | ~$5,000-8,000 |
| $600,000 | Yes | $42,000 (7%) | $30,000 (5%) | ~$6,000-10,000 |
| $650,000+ | Near limit | Needs conventional | $32,500 (5%) | Increases |
Buyer cash needed estimates include FHA 3.5% down offset by DPA plus estimated $8,000-$10,000 in closing costs partially covered by ZIP. Actual amounts vary by purchase price, lender fees, and rate.
| Program | Amount | Repay? | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSFA Platinum | $26,750 | Never | Down payment + closing |
| CalHFA MyHome | $18,725 | Sale/refi | Down payment |
| CalHFA ZIP | $18,725 | 3 yr forgiven | Closing costs |
| MyHome + ZIP (stacked) | $37,450 | Partial | Down + all closing costs |
| Chenoa Fund | $18,725-$26,750 | Varies | Down payment |
| SB County HOME DPA | $40,000-$60,000 | Sale/refi | Down payment (ESTIMATED) |
| Program | Income Limit | AMI Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB County HOME DPA | ~$62,400 | 80% AMI | ESTIMATED — verify with county |
| City of Fontana FTHB | ~$62,400-$93,600 | 80-120% AMI | ESTIMATED — contact city |
| CalHFA MyHome + ZIP | ~$118,000 | County specific | First-time buyer required |
| GSFA Platinum | ~$124,800 | 160% AMI | No first-time buyer req. |
| CalHFA Conventional DPA | ~$156,000 | 200% AMI | Higher limit, lower DPA % |
| Chenoa Fund | No cap | N/A | 600+ credit, FHA only |
San Bernardino County AMI: approximately $78,000 for a family of four (2025). Limits adjust for household size and vary slightly by program year.
Use the table above to filter which programs you can access. Start with GSFA ($124,800 limit, no first-time requirement) or CalHFA ($118,000 limit, first-time required). If your income is below $62,400, also check county and city programs.
Not all lenders offer all programs. For CalHFA, find a CalHFA-approved lender. For GSFA, find a GSFA-participating lender. For county programs, call (909) 387-4411 for their approved lender list. One lender may cover multiple programs.
CalHFA and most local programs require an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Take it online at eHome America or Framework. Complete early -- certificates typically expire after 12 months.
Request a pre-approval letter that explicitly includes your DPA program. Sellers in competitive markets want to see the DPA is factored in, not just the base loan. Your lender submits DPA paperwork alongside the main loan application.
Once under contract, your lender locks the rate and confirms DPA amounts based on final purchase price. GSFA and Chenoa process with the main loan (30-45 days). County programs may take additional time. Build that into your contingency timeline.
Maximum deferred assistance for income-qualified first-time buyers. MyHome covers 3.5% down, ZIP covers closing costs. Combined: ~$37,450 on a $535K home. ZIP forgiven after 3 years.
Grant-based stack requiring no repayment. Ideal for repeat buyers or buyers with incomes between CalHFA and GSFA limits. 640 credit minimum. Up to $26,750 on a $535K home.
For buyers earning above $124,800 or those who don't qualify for CalHFA or GSFA. No income cap. Works with FHA financing. 600+ credit. Provides 3.5-5% assistance, which can be structured as a grant or soft second depending on lender options.
For buyers under $62,400 income, combining county HOME DPA with CalHFA layers deep deferred assistance. May require county program approval alongside CalHFA lender. Funding availability limited -- start inquiry early.
A $120,000 household income in Fontana is under GSFA's $124,800 limit. Chenoa Fund has no cap at all. Most buyers who self-disqualify actually have multiple options.
DPA programs have specific lender approval requirements. A lender who doesn't regularly close CalHFA or GSFA loans can misquote amounts, miss deadlines, or cause your loan to fall through.
CalHFA MyHome and ZIP are designed to be used together. Buyers who only apply for one leave money on the table. At $535K, stacking adds $18,725 more in closing cost coverage.
Dream For All closed March 16, 2026. There is no confirmed reopening date. Waiting while home prices move or interest rates shift has real cost. The programs open today are strong alternatives.
Some programs require the education certificate before the loan can be submitted. Taking the course late can delay closing. Complete it in the first week of your home search, not after you're under contract.
Outcome
Under CalHFA's $118,000 limit. Stack MyHome ($18,900) + ZIP ($18,900) = $37,800 combined. Personal cash needed: approximately $5,500 after DPA. Monthly payment at prevailing rates: manageable on $108K income.
Outcome
$122K is under GSFA's $124,800 limit. Repeat buyer status means CalHFA is out, but GSFA has no first-time requirement. $28,750 direct grant (5% of $575K). No repayment ever. Self-employed underwriting uses 2-year tax return average. FHA financing at $575K is below $644K limit.
Use the eligibility tool to get a personalized breakdown of programs, income limits, and estimated assistance amounts for your exact situation.
Check My Eligibility NowFontana buyers can access GSFA Platinum (up to 5% grant, no repayment), CalHFA MyHome (deferred second loan), ZIP extra credit, San Bernardino County HOME DPA, and the Chenoa Fund. Local city programs may also be available. Most require a 600-640+ credit score.
Income limits vary by program. GSFA Platinum allows up to approximately $124,800 (160% of San Bernardino County AMI). CalHFA income limits are approximately $118,000. San Bernardino County HOME DPA targets 80% AMI (around $62,400). Chenoa Fund has no income cap.
Not for all programs. GSFA Platinum has no first-time buyer requirement. You simply cannot own another home at closing. CalHFA programs generally require first-time buyer status (no ownership in the past 3 years). Chenoa Fund also has no first-time buyer requirement.
At a $535,000 Fontana median home price, stacking CalHFA MyHome plus ZIP could provide approximately $37,450 covering both down payment and closing costs. GSFA Platinum alone could provide $26,750 as a direct grant. San Bernardino County HOME DPA may provide additional local assistance.
Dream For All closed its application portal on March 16, 2026 and is not currently accepting new applications. Buyers should use CalHFA MyHome, GSFA Platinum, or San Bernardino County HOME DPA as alternatives in 2026.
Most programs require 600-640 minimum. CalHFA FHA requires 660 minimum credit score. GSFA Platinum requires 640 minimum. Chenoa Fund is available with 600+ credit. Some lenders can work with scores in the 580-599 range on FHA though DPA options narrow significantly below 620.
Yes. San Bernardino County's FHA loan limit is $644,000. Fontana's median home price of approximately $535,000 is well below that limit, meaning buyers can use FHA financing at 3.5% down and stack DPA programs on top for maximum assistance.
Yes, with some restrictions. CalHFA MyHome and ZIP are designed to be stacked together. San Bernardino County HOME DPA may combine with CalHFA depending on lender approval. GSFA cannot be stacked with CalHFA -- choose one or the other. Chenoa Fund works independently.
The City of Fontana may have a First-Time Homebuyer assistance program, but availability varies and funding is limited. San Bernardino County HOME DPA is the more consistently available local program for Fontana buyers. Contact (909) 387-4411 for current county program status.
GSFA and Chenoa Fund process with your main loan, typically 30-45 days. CalHFA programs add 2-5 days of lender coordination. San Bernardino County HOME DPA may require an additional 2-4 weeks depending on county processing times. Start applications early to avoid delays in competitive offer situations.
Disclaimer
Information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. Program availability, income limits, and assistance amounts are based on published guidelines and are marked ESTIMATED where exact figures could not be independently verified. Dream For All closed March 16, 2026. DownPaymentScout.com is not a lender, housing agency, or government entity. Always verify current program status directly with the administering agency before making financial decisions. This is not a commitment to lend.
