Last updated: April 2026 · Program availability changes frequently
Down Payment Assistance in Santa Rosa: Overview
Santa Rosa has something most California cities do not: two open local DPA programs running at the same time. The Sonoma County HAC First-Time Home Buyer Loan offers up to $100,000 as a deferred second mortgage. The Redwood Credit Union Community Fund adds up to $25,000. Both are currently accepting applications.
That matters because it gives Santa Rosa buyers a three-tier system. Local programs cover the heavy lifting. Statewide programs like CalHFA and GSFA fill in the rest. The result is that a first-time buyer purchasing at the city's median of approximately $700,000 can potentially access $125,000 or more in combined assistance before touching statewide options.
Sonoma County's Area Median Income is approximately $100,000 for a family of four. That puts the GSFA Platinum Standard income ceiling at roughly $160,000 (160% of AMI). CalHFA reaches approximately $176,000. These are workable limits for North Bay households. A public school teacher earning $75,000 qualifies for nearly every program on this page. A dual-income household at $140,000 still qualifies for GSFA and CalHFA.
The FHA loan limit for Sonoma County is $764,750. Santa Rosa's median sits below that, which means FHA-based DPA programs work on most purchases in the city. This guide covers what is open, what the local programs actually require, and how to put the pieces together.
Quick Answer
Yes. Santa Rosa buyers have strong DPA options right now, including two local programs that are currently open.
Sonoma County HAC provides up to $100,000 as a deferred loan. Redwood Credit Union Community Fund adds up to $25,000. On top of that, CalHFA MyHome covers 3.5% and ZIP adds 3% -- both as deferred loans with no monthly payment. GSFA Platinum Standard offers up to 5% as a grant.
On a $700,000 purchase, CalHFA MyHome + ZIP = $45,500 in deferred assistance. GSFA Platinum = $35,000 grant. Chenoa Fund = $24,500 forgivable at 600 credit.
Dream For All is closed (March 16, 2026). FEBL is exhausted. WISH is fully committed. Do not wait for these. The open programs listed above are accepting applications now.
Sonoma County Local Programs
Sonoma County HAC First-Time Home Buyer Loan
Contact Sonoma County HAC directly for current income limits, credit requirements, and funding availability. This is one of the larger local DPA programs in Northern California.
Redwood Credit Union Community Fund DPA
Contact Redwood Credit Union for eligibility details. This program is unique to the North Bay region and not available in most California markets.
Data confidence: Both local programs are listed as open in our database. Funding availability and exact terms should be confirmed directly with each program administrator before making financial decisions. Local programs can exhaust funding mid-cycle without public notice.
How Down Payment Assistance Programs Work in Santa Rosa
True Grants
Money you never repay. GSFA Platinum Standard offers up to 5% as a grant. Golden Opportunities adds another 1-2%. These are the cleanest form of assistance, but they tend to have stricter eligibility or limited availability. When you can get a grant, take it.
Forgivable Loans
Forgiven after a set period if you stay in the home. Chenoa Fund forgives after 36 months of on-time payments. Functionally similar to a grant, but you carry the lien during the forgiveness period. Selling or refinancing before forgiveness means you repay it.
Deferred Payment Loans
No monthly payment. Repaid when you sell, refinance, or transfer. CalHFA MyHome, ZIP, and the Sonoma County HAC loan all use this structure. The deferred balance reduces your net proceeds at sale. It is not free money. It is a cost shifted from monthly to eventual. That trade-off is usually worth it for buyers who plan to stay long term.
Repayable Second Mortgages
A second loan with its own monthly payment. Less common and less attractive. If this is your only option, make sure your lender runs the DTI calculation with the second payment included. Some forget, and that causes problems at underwriting.
Check Your Eligibility
See which programs you qualify for based on your income, credit score, and location.
Use the Eligibility ToolOpen Programs for Santa Rosa Buyers (2026)
| Program | Type | Amount | Credit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoma County HAC FTHB Loan | Deferred Loan | Up to $100,000 | Contact HAC | Verify Funding |
| Redwood CU Community Fund | DPA | Up to $25,000 | Contact RCU | Verify Funding |
| CalHFA MyHome | Deferred Loan | 3.5% of purchase | 660 (FHA) / 680 (Conv) | Open |
| CalHFA ZIP | Deferred Loan | 3% of purchase | 660 (FHA) / 680 (Conv) | Open |
| CalHFA DPA-FHA | Deferred Loan | 3.5% of purchase | 660 | Open |
| CalHFA DPA-Conventional | Deferred Loan | 3% of purchase | 680 | Open |
| GSFA Platinum Standard | Grant | Up to 5% | 640 | Open |
| GSFA DPA | Grant | Up to 5% | 640 | Open |
| Golden Opportunities | Grant / Forgivable | Up to 2% | 620 | Open |
| Chenoa Fund | Forgivable Loan | 3.5% | 600 | Open |
| SchoolsFirst FCU | Reduced Down | Varies | Varies | Open |
| BofA Down Payment Grant | Grant | Up to $17,500 | Varies | Open |
What Santa Rosa Buyers Are Actually Using in 2026
Most Santa Rosa buyers shopping open programs today end up comparing one of these three paths:
1. Sonoma County HAC + CalHFA Stack (First-Time, Income-Qualifying)
This is the highest-dollar path and it is unique to Sonoma County buyers. The HAC loan covers up to $100,000 as a deferred second. Layer CalHFA MyHome (3.5%) on top and you are looking at $100,000 + $24,500 = $124,500 on a $700,000 purchase. That covers the entire 3.5% FHA down payment plus closing costs and then some. Confirm stacking eligibility with HAC and your lender before counting on this combination.
2. CalHFA MyHome + ZIP (First-Time, 660+ Credit, Simpler Path)
For buyers who want statewide programs without navigating local program applications. On a $700,000 purchase: MyHome 3.5% ($24,500) + ZIP 3% ($21,000) = $45,500 in deferred assistance. No monthly payment on either. Income limit approximately $176,000. This covers FHA down payment plus most closing costs. Straightforward, reliable, and available to any CalHFA-approved lender.
3. GSFA Platinum Standard (No First-Time Requirement, 640+ Credit)
The go-to for repeat buyers or anyone who does not meet the first-time buyer definition. Up to 5% as a true grant on a $700,000 purchase = $35,000 you never repay. Add Golden Opportunities (up to 2% = $14,000) for a potential $49,000 in grants. Income limit approximately $160,000. This is real money that does not come back to haunt you at sale.
Dream For All ($150K), FEBL, WISH, and GSFA Platinum Select are not on this list because they are all currently closed or exhausted. Focus on what is open.
See Programs You Qualify For
Filter by income, credit score, and buyer status.
Check Eligibility NowClosed or Exhausted Programs
These programs are not currently accepting applications. Some reopen with new funding allocations.
| Program | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dream For All (CalHFA) | Up to $150,000 | Closed 3/16/26 |
| FEBL (CalHFA) | Up to 10% | Exhausted |
| WISH (FHLBank SF) | Up to $32,099 | Fully Committed |
| GSFA Platinum Select | Varies | Closed |
| GSFA Platinum Assist-to-Own | Varies | Closed |
| Pathway to Home | $10,000 | Closed |
Estimated Assistance Range
How much DPA covers at different Santa Rosa purchase prices (statewide programs only; local adds $25K-$100K on top):
| Purchase Price | CalHFA MyHome+ZIP (6.5%) | GSFA Platinum (5%) | Chenoa Fund (3.5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $550,000 | $35,750 | $27,500 | $19,250 |
| $650,000 | $42,250 | $32,500 | $22,750 |
| $700,000 (near median) | $45,500 | $35,000 | $24,500 |
| $764,750 (FHA limit) | $49,709 | $38,238 | $26,766 |
Add Sonoma County HAC ($100K) and/or Redwood CU ($25K) on top of these figures if you qualify for the local programs. Purchases above $764,750 cannot use FHA financing. GSFA Conventional and CalHFA Conventional DPA remain available above this threshold.
Income Limits for Santa Rosa DPA
Sonoma County AMI: approximately $100,000 (family of 4).
| Program | Income Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sonoma County HAC | Contact HAC | First-time buyer required |
| Redwood CU Community Fund | Contact RCU | Multi-county coverage |
| CalHFA (FHA programs) | ~$176,000 | First-time buyer required |
| CalHFA (Conventional) | ~$221,000 | First-time buyer required; 680 credit |
| GSFA Platinum Standard | ~$160,000 | No first-time buyer requirement |
| Chenoa Fund | No income cap | 600 credit minimum |
Income limits are approximate and based on current AMI figures. Your lender will confirm exact thresholds at application.
Find Programs That Fit Your Situation
Answer a few questions and see your personalized results.
Start NowHow to Apply for DPA in Santa Rosa
- Check your credit. Pull your report from annualcreditreport.com. Most open programs need 640-680. Chenoa Fund starts at 600.
- Contact the local programs first. Sonoma County HAC and Redwood Credit Union have their own application timelines. Start early because local programs can exhaust funding mid-cycle.
- Estimate your income. Use gross household income (before taxes). Compare against the limits table above.
- Find a DPA-approved lender. Not every lender offers every program. CalHFA, GSFA, and Chenoa each have their own approved lender lists. Find one approved for multiple programs so you can compare options.
- Get pre-approved with DPA included. A standard pre-approval does not account for DPA. Ask the lender to run scenarios with the local programs and statewide options side by side.
- Complete homebuyer education. Most CalHFA, Chenoa, and local programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Do this early.
- Make offers. Your pre-approval letter should reflect the DPA financing. Some listing agents in Sonoma County are unfamiliar with DPA-backed offers. Your lender should be prepared to explain the structure to the listing side.
Can You Combine DPA Programs?
Yes: CalHFA MyHome (3.5%) + CalHFA ZIP (3%) = 6.5% combined. On a $700K purchase, that is $45,500 in deferred assistance.
Yes: GSFA Platinum Standard (up to 5%) + Golden Opportunities (up to 2%) = potentially 7% in grants.
No: CalHFA and GSFA programs generally cannot be combined with each other. They are competing first mortgage products.
Ask your lender: Sonoma County HAC and Redwood CU may layer on top of statewide programs, but this depends on each program's current terms. Confirm stacking eligibility before planning around it.
Common Mistakes Santa Rosa Buyers Make
- Skipping the local programs. Most buyers go straight to CalHFA or GSFA because their lender knows those. The Sonoma County HAC loan at $100,000 is worth the extra application effort.
- Waiting for Dream For All to reopen. It closed March 16, 2026. There is no announced reopening date. Buyers who wait often miss purchase opportunities.
- Assuming $120K income disqualifies them. GSFA goes to ~$160K. CalHFA to ~$176K. Chenoa has no cap. Most working households in Santa Rosa qualify for something.
- Only talking to one lender. If your lender is not approved for GSFA, you will never hear about GSFA. The landscape depends on who you ask.
- Not combining programs when eligible. CalHFA MyHome alone is 3.5%. Add ZIP and it is 6.5%. That extra 3% is $21,000 on a $700K purchase.
- Applying for local programs too late. HAC and Redwood CU can exhaust funding mid-cycle. Start those applications early in your home search.
- Confusing deferred with free. Deferred loans like CalHFA MyHome have no monthly payment, but you repay when you sell or refinance. Plan accordingly.
Buyer Scenarios
Scenario A: Teacher, First-Time Buyer
- Income: $78,000
- Credit score: 670
- Target purchase: $620,000 condo in Rincon Valley
- First-time buyer (has been renting)
Best path: Apply for Sonoma County HAC first (up to $100,000 deferred). Then layer CalHFA MyHome (3.5% = $21,700). If HAC approves $100,000 and CalHFA stacks, total deferred assistance: $121,700. That covers the entire 3.5% FHA down payment ($21,700) plus closing costs ($15,000-$20,000) with a substantial cushion. If HAC stacking is not confirmed, CalHFA MyHome + ZIP ($40,300) still covers down payment and most closing costs independently.
Scenario B: Vineyard Industry Couple, Repeat Buyers
- Combined income: $145,000
- Credit scores: 710 / 690
- Target purchase: $750,000 SFR near downtown
- Sold a home 2 years ago (not first-time buyers)
Best path: GSFA Platinum Standard (5% = $37,500 grant) + Golden Opportunities (up to 2% = $15,000). Income of $145K is under GSFA's ~$160K limit. No first-time buyer requirement. $37,500 GSFA grant is never repaid. Purchase of $750K is just under the $764,750 FHA limit, so FHA financing works. Total potential grant assistance: up to $52,500. This couple enters a $750K home with a true grant covering the full down payment and part of closing costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance is available in Santa Rosa?
What is the Sonoma County HAC program?
What is the Redwood Credit Union DPA?
What is the FHA loan limit in Santa Rosa?
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
Can I combine DPA programs?
What credit score do I need?
What income limits apply?
Can wildfire survivors get extra DPA?
What happens to DPA if I sell or refinance?
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
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Check Your EligibilityRelated Pages
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. Program availability, terms, and eligibility requirements change frequently. All program details should be verified directly with the administering agency or an approved lender before making financial decisions. DownPaymentScout is an independent resource and is not affiliated with any government agency or lending institution. Information is believed accurate as of the date shown but is not guaranteed.