Quick Answer
California has more than 166 down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers. Assistance ranges from 3% to 20% of your purchase price — that's $15,000 to $100,000+ on a typical home. Some programs are grants (no repayment), some are forgivable after 3 years, and some are deferred loans repaid when you sell. Your eligibility depends on your county, income, and credit score.
If you're a first-time homebuyer in California, you're probably focused on one question: how am I going to come up with the down payment?
Here's what most people don't realize: California has one of the most extensive networks of down payment assistance programs in the country. There are state programs, county programs, city programs, and nonprofit programs — over 166 in total. Most buyers qualify for at least 3-5 of them.
This guide covers how DPA works for first-time buyers, the best programs available statewide, and how to figure out exactly what you qualify for based on where you're buying.
What Counts as a "First-Time Homebuyer" in California?
The definition is more forgiving than most people think:
First-Time Homebuyer = Haven't owned in 3 years
If you haven't owned and occupied a home as your primary residence in the past three years, you qualify as a first-time buyer for most California DPA programs. This includes people who have never owned, as well as those who owned previously but sold or moved out 3+ years ago.
A few nuances to know:
- Owned a home 4 years ago? You qualify as first-time again.
- Your spouse owned but you never did? You may still qualify depending on the program.
- First-generation homebuyer is a stricter requirement used only by Dream For All — it means your parents don't currently own residential property.
- Some programs don't require first-time status at all — Chenoa Fund, NHF, and GSFA are open to repeat buyers.
Four Types of Down Payment Assistance
Not all DPA is created equal. Understanding the four types helps you compare programs effectively:
1. Grants (No Repayment)
Free money. You never pay it back. Example: National Homebuyers Fund (NHF) — up to 5% of the loan amount. Some grant options are structured as forgivable seconds that disappear after 3 years.
2. Forgivable Loans
A loan that disappears after a set period — typically 3 years of on-time mortgage payments. If you sell or refinance before the forgiveness period, you repay the balance. Example: Chenoa Fund — 3.5%–5%, forgiven after 36 on-time payments.
3. Deferred Loans (No Monthly Payments)
A second mortgage with no monthly payments. You repay the principal (plus simple interest in some cases) when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage. Example: CalHFA MyHome — up to 3.5%, 1% simple interest, deferred.
4. Shared Appreciation Loans
You repay the original amount plus a share of your home's increase in value. More generous upfront (higher amounts), but the long-term cost depends on how much your home appreciates. Example: Dream For All — up to 20% (up to $150,000), repay with 15-20% of appreciation.
Best Statewide DPA Programs for First-Time Buyers
These programs are available across all of California. Your county will likely have additional local options on top of these.
| Program | Amount | Type | Credit | Income Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dream For All | Up to 20% | Shared appreciation | 660 | 120% AMI |
| NHF Grant | Up to 5% | Grant | 640 | None |
| Chenoa Fund | 3.5%–5% | Forgivable | 600 | None |
| MyHome (FHA) | Up to 3.5% | Deferred loan | 660 | County-specific |
| GSFA Platinum | Up to 5% | Repayable 2nd | 640 | Flexible |
| Golden Opportunities | Up to 5% | Repayable 2nd | 640 | Flexible |
How Much Assistance Can You Get?
It depends on the program, your purchase price, and where you're buying. Here's what the numbers look like on typical California home prices:
| Home Price | 3.5% (MyHome) | 5% (NHF/GSFA) | 20% (Dream For All) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $14,000 | $20,000 | $80,000 |
| $500,000 | $17,500 | $25,000 | $100,000 |
| $600,000 | $21,000 | $30,000 | $120,000 |
| $750,000 | $26,250 | $37,500 | $150,000 (cap) |
Many buyers also have local programs that stack on top of state programs. For example, several counties and cities offer their own DPA — sometimes as additional grants or deferred loans — that can be combined with programs like MyHome or NHF to cover both your down payment and closing costs.
Programs by Credit Score
Your credit score determines which programs are available to you. Here's a quick breakdown:
Credit Score 600–639
Available: Chenoa Fund (3.5%–5%, forgivable after 36 months)
Best bet: Chenoa Fund is the only major statewide program at this credit level, but it's a strong one — forgivable, no income limits, and always funded.
Credit Score 640–659
Available: Chenoa Fund + NHF Grant + GSFA Platinum + Golden Opportunities
Best bet: NHF Grant — it's a true grant (no repayment), no income limits, and always funded. If your lender offers NHF, it's hard to beat.
Credit Score 660+
Available: All of the above + CalHFA MyHome + CalPLUS + Dream For All
Best bet: Compare CalHFA MyHome (3.5% deferred) against NHF Grant (5% grant). If you qualify for Dream For All and are a first-generation buyer, register for the lottery while using MyHome as your backup.
County and City Programs
The programs above are statewide — available no matter where you buy in California. But many of the 166+ programs in our database are county-specific or city-specific, offering additional assistance on top of state programs.
Some of the most active counties for local DPA programs include:
Los Angeles County
Multiple city-level programs + state programs
San Diego County
City & county programs with deferred loans up to $100K+
Sacramento County
County homebuyer assistance + state programs
San Francisco
DALP programs, first responder programs, educator programs
Riverside County
Affordable housing initiatives + state programs
Fresno County
CalHome and local mortgage assistance programs
Use our free tool to see every program available in your specific county — statewide programs and local programs combined.
Your Next Steps
Check your eligibility
Use our free eligibility tool to see every program in your county. Takes 2 minutes.
Read our application guide
Once you know which programs you qualify for, our step-by-step application guide walks you through the entire process.
Connect with an approved lender
Find a lender who is approved for the programs you want to use. A mortgage broker with multiple program approvals can compare options and find your best fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What DPA programs are available for first-time buyers in California?
California has over 166 DPA programs. Major statewide options include CalHFA MyHome (3.5%), Dream For All (up to 20%), Chenoa Fund (3.5%–5%, forgivable), NHF Grant (up to 5%, no repayment), and GSFA Platinum (up to 5%). County and city programs add dozens more options.
How much assistance can first-time buyers get?
Assistance ranges from 3% to 20% of the purchase price. On a $500,000 home, that's $17,500 to $100,000 depending on the program. NHF and GSFA offer up to 5%. Dream For All offers up to 20% (max $150,000). Local programs can add more.
What counts as a first-time homebuyer?
You haven't owned and occupied a home as your primary residence in the past 3 years. If you owned 4+ years ago, you qualify again. Some programs (Chenoa Fund, NHF, GSFA) don't even require first-time status.
Do I have to pay back down payment assistance?
It depends. Grants (NHF) require no repayment. Forgivable loans (Chenoa Fund) are forgiven after 36 on-time payments. Deferred loans (MyHome) are repaid when you sell or refinance. Shared appreciation loans (Dream For All) require repayment of the original amount plus a share of your home's appreciation.
What credit score do I need?
Chenoa Fund accepts 600+. GSFA and NHF require 640+. CalHFA programs require 660+. Higher scores open more options, but even a 600 gives you access to the Chenoa Fund.
Can I get DPA if my parents own a home?
For most programs, yes. The only exception is Dream For All, which requires "first-generation homebuyer" status (parents don't own property). All other programs only look at whether you have owned in the past 3 years.
Are there income limits?
Some programs have limits (CalHFA uses county-specific AMI limits), some don't (Chenoa Fund and NHF have no income limits). Use our eligibility tool to filter by your income.
Find Every DPA Program You Qualify For
Enter your county, income, and target home price to see all available programs — state, county, and city — with assistance amounts, credit requirements, and program types.
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