Down Payment Scout helps organizations across California provide accurate, up-to-date down payment assistance information to the communities they serve. At no cost.
Down Payment Scout is designed to help homebuyers find down payment assistance. Organizations like yours can use it to support that process.
If your organization helps individuals navigate the path to homeownership, this tool is designed to support your work.
A free, California-focused platform that helps homebuyers quickly identify down payment assistance programs based on their specific situation.
Comprehensive coverage of state, county, and city-level assistance programs.
Each county has its own page with every available program listed.
Search by income, credit score, and first-time buyer status.
Assistance amounts, repayment terms, requirements, and links to official sources.
Our goal is simple: Make down payment assistance easier to understand and easier to access.
Reduce time spent manually searching for programs. Give clients a starting point before one-on-one sessions.
Give attendees a resource they can bookmark and reference on their own as they work through the homebuying process.
An easy-to-use tool you can confidently share. Designed to support, not replace, the guidance your organization provides.
Down Payment Scout is completely free to use. Program results are available instantly with no barriers.
No login required
No ads
No paywalls
The goal is to provide a transparent, educational resource that organizations can confidently share.
Organizations commonly use Down Payment Scout in the following ways:
Pull up the county page during a session to show clients what programs may be available in their area.
Give workshop attendees a link they can bookmark and use on their own to explore programs after class.
Link to the directory from your housing resources or homebuyer toolkit page.
Add it to your email communications as a self-serve resource for clients between appointments.
If you find the platform helpful, you are welcome to link to it or share it with your community.
We aim to keep program information as accurate and up-to-date as possible. If your organization notices outdated information, missing programs, or changes to eligibility or funding, we welcome your feedback.
Submit an UpdateDown Payment Scout was created after seeing how difficult it can be for buyers to navigate down payment assistance programs. The platform is designed to simplify the discovery process and support organizations working to expand access to homeownership.
Start by exploring the directory, or share a county-specific link with your next client.
