Yes, CalHFA applies in Sacramento
CalHFA is a statewide program run by the California Housing Finance Agency. Every CalHFA program is available to Sacramento homebuyers. You do not need to live in a specific neighborhood or census tract. If you meet the income, credit, and first-time buyer requirements, you can use CalHFA anywhere in Sacramento County.
A median-priced home in Sacramento at $494,000 requires roughly $17,290 down on an FHA loan (3.5%) or $14,820 on a conventional loan (3%). Add closing costs and you are looking at $20,000 to $30,000 in upfront cash. That is the gap CalHFA programs are designed to fill.
CalHFA is not a single program. It is a suite of five active programs, each with different assistance amounts, income thresholds, and repayment structures. The right program depends on your income, your loan type, and whether you qualify for the forgivable option. This page breaks down every CalHFA program available to Sacramento buyers, what each one actually provides, and how to determine which one fits your situation.
What CalHFA Is
The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) is a state agency that provides below-market-rate mortgages and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers across California. CalHFA does not lend directly. It funds programs that are delivered through approved lenders.
CalHFA assistance takes the form of subordinate loans (second mortgages) attached to a CalHFA first mortgage. Some of these subordinate loans carry zero interest and deferred payments. One, the FEBL, is fully forgivable. The common thread: every CalHFA program requires you to use a CalHFA first mortgage and work with a CalHFA-approved lender.
That is not a promotional pitch. It is how the program is structured. The CalHFA first mortgage rate is typically slightly above market, which is the tradeoff for accessing the DPA. For most Sacramento buyers who need help with the down payment, the math still works strongly in their favor.
Who Typically Uses CalHFA in Sacramento
Sacramento's buyer profile skews toward first-time buyers in the $70,000 to $150,000 household income range. That fits squarely within CalHFA's target population. Three groups make up most CalHFA users in the Sacramento market:
State and county employees
Sacramento is the state capital. A large share of buyers work for the state, county, or related agencies. Household incomes between $80,000 and $130,000 are common. These buyers typically qualify for MyHome or CalHFA DPA-FHA, and some fall under the 80% AMI threshold for FEBL.
Young professionals and dual-income households
Couples earning a combined $90,000 to $160,000 who have solid credit but limited savings. CalHFA's deferred-payment structure means they do not add a monthly payment. The assistance goes directly to reducing cash needed at closing.
Buyers priced out of the Bay Area
Sacramento continues to attract buyers relocating from the Bay Area. These buyers often have decent income but spent years renting at high cost with limited ability to save. CalHFA helps bridge the savings gap on a Sacramento purchase.
CalHFA Assistance Structure for Sacramento Buyers
Each CalHFA program provides a different amount, with different terms. Here is the breakdown of what is currently open and available to Sacramento buyers:
| Program | Max Amount | Type | Income Limit | Min Credit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEBL (Forgivable Equity Builder Loan) | $50,000 | Forgivable after 5 years | 80% AMI (~$85,900) | 660 | Open |
| MyHome Assistance Program | $17,500 | Deferred, 0% interest | 150% AMI (~$161,100) | 660 | Open |
| CalHFA DPA-FHA | $17,500 | Deferred, 0% interest | CalHFA county limits | 660 | Open |
| CalHFA DPA-Conventional | $15,000 | Deferred, 0% interest | CalHFA county limits | 680 | Open |
| CalPLUS with ZIP (closing cost grant) | $10,000 | Grant (no repayment) | CalHFA county limits | 660 | Open |
| Dream For All | $150,000 | Shared appreciation | Program-specific | 660 | Closed |
About Dream For All: Dream For All is closed. It exhausted its funding and is not accepting applications. There is no waitlist and no confirmed date for a new funding round. Do not plan your purchase timeline around Dream For All reopening.
How Each CalHFA Program Works in Sacramento
FEBL: The Best Option If You Qualify
The Forgivable Equity Builder Loan provides up to 10% of the purchase price, capped at $50,000. On a $494,000 Sacramento home, that is $49,400. The loan is fully forgiven after five years of owner-occupancy. If you sell before five years, repayment is prorated.
The catch: your household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income. For Sacramento County, that is roughly $85,900 for a family of four (2025 figures). Single buyers or smaller households have a lower threshold. If your household earns $90,000 or more, FEBL is likely out of reach.
For buyers who do qualify, FEBL is the strongest CalHFA program available. A $49,400 forgivable loan on a $494,000 home covers virtually the entire FHA down payment. That is not a small benefit. It is a transformational one.
MyHome Assistance Program: The Broadest Reach
MyHome provides up to 3.5% of the purchase price (FHA) or 3% (conventional), capped at $17,500. It is structured as a deferred-payment, zero-interest second mortgage. No monthly payments. You repay when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.
The key advantage of MyHome: income limits extend to 150% of AMI. In Sacramento County, that is roughly $161,100 for a family of four. This makes MyHome accessible to a much wider range of buyers than FEBL. A dual-income household earning $140,000 would qualify for MyHome but not FEBL.
On a $494,000 Sacramento purchase with an FHA loan, MyHome provides $17,290 (3.5% of purchase price), which covers the entire minimum down payment.
CalHFA DPA-FHA and DPA-Conventional
These programs provide up to $17,500 (FHA) or $15,000 (conventional) as deferred-payment, zero-interest second mortgages. They function similarly to MyHome but are paired with specific CalHFA first mortgage products.
The DPA-Conventional option requires a 680 credit score, which is 20 points higher than the FHA version. For Sacramento buyers with credit scores between 660 and 679, the FHA path is the only option.
CalPLUS with ZIP: The Closing Cost Grant
CalPLUS is a slightly higher-rate CalHFA first mortgage paired with the Zero Interest Program (ZIP), which provides a grant of 2% to 4.5% of the first mortgage amount for closing costs. On a typical Sacramento FHA loan, that translates to roughly $8,000 to $10,000.
The ZIP portion is a true grant. No repayment. The tradeoff is a slightly higher rate on the CalPLUS first mortgage compared to the standard CalHFA first mortgage. For buyers whose primary concern is closing costs rather than the down payment itself, CalPLUS with ZIP can be the right structure.
How CalHFA Interacts with Sacramento Market Conditions
Sacramento's housing market has specific characteristics that affect how CalHFA programs play out in practice.
Price-to-limit ratio favors Sacramento buyers
Sacramento's median home price of $494,000 falls well below the FHA loan limit of $580,250. That means most Sacramento purchases can use FHA financing with CalHFA, opening up the full suite of FHA-based programs. In Bay Area counties where home prices exceed FHA limits, CalHFA FHA options are effectively unavailable for median-priced homes.
AMI creates a wide eligibility window
Sacramento County's 2025 Area Median Income of approximately $107,400 (family of 4) sets the income thresholds for CalHFA programs. At 150% AMI, MyHome covers households earning up to roughly $161,100. At 80% AMI, FEBL covers households up to roughly $85,900. The majority of Sacramento's first-time buyer population falls somewhere in this range.
Competitive market means preparation matters
Sacramento's market moves quickly for well-priced homes. CalHFA funding is built into your loan, not a separate closing process. But you need to be pre-approved with a CalHFA-approved lender before you start making offers. Sellers are more likely to accept offers from buyers whose financing is already structured.
How to Apply for CalHFA in Sacramento
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1
Check your eligibility
Use our free eligibility tool to see which CalHFA programs match your income, credit score, and target price range. This takes about 60 seconds.
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2
Connect with a CalHFA-approved lender
Not every lender participates in CalHFA. You need a lender specifically approved to originate CalHFA first mortgages and DPA products. Ask upfront whether they handle CalHFA regularly, not just whether they are technically approved.
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3
Complete homebuyer education
Most CalHFA programs require an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Online options through eHome America and Framework are accepted. Do this early. It takes time and is a hard requirement for closing.
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4
Get pre-approved and start shopping
Your lender will structure the CalHFA DPA into your loan package. You will know exactly how much assistance you are receiving before you make an offer. In Sacramento's competitive market, this preparation is essential.
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5
Close and move in
The CalHFA DPA funds are disbursed at closing alongside your first mortgage. There is no separate funding process. Your lender handles the full coordination with CalHFA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CalHFA work in Sacramento?
Yes. CalHFA is a statewide program run by the California Housing Finance Agency. Every CalHFA program is available to Sacramento homebuyers as long as they meet the income, credit, and first-time buyer requirements for that specific program.
How much CalHFA assistance can I get in Sacramento?
The largest currently open CalHFA program is the Forgivable Equity Builder Loan (FEBL), which provides up to $50,000. MyHome and CalHFA DPA-FHA each offer up to $17,500. CalHFA DPA-Conventional provides up to $15,000. The CalPLUS ZIP grant covers up to $10,000 in closing costs.
What are the CalHFA income limits for Sacramento County?
Income limits vary by program. FEBL requires household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (roughly $85,900 for a family of 4 in Sacramento County). MyHome allows up to 150% AMI (roughly $161,100). Other programs fall between these thresholds. Use our eligibility tool to check your specific situation.
What credit score do I need for CalHFA in Sacramento?
Most CalHFA programs require a minimum 660 credit score. The CalHFA DPA-Conventional program requires 680. These are the same statewide. There is no Sacramento-specific adjustment.
Is Dream For All available in Sacramento?
No. Dream For All is closed. The program exhausted its funding and is not accepting new applications. There is no waitlist, and no confirmed date for a new funding round. Do not plan your purchase around Dream For All reopening.
Can I combine CalHFA with other Sacramento DPA programs?
CalHFA programs generally cannot be stacked with non-CalHFA assistance because they require a CalHFA first mortgage. However, you can combine certain CalHFA programs together. For example, CalPLUS with ZIP pairs a slightly higher-rate first mortgage with a closing cost grant. Your lender can structure the optimal combination.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer for CalHFA in Sacramento?
Yes. All CalHFA programs require first-time homebuyer status, meaning you have not owned a home in the past three years. This applies statewide, not just in Sacramento.
How does CalHFA compare to GSFA in Sacramento?
CalHFA requires a higher credit score (660+ vs 620+) but offers larger assistance through programs like FEBL ($50,000 forgivable). GSFA is more flexible on eligibility and does not always require first-time buyer status. Many Sacramento buyers should evaluate both. See our GSFA Sacramento page for a full comparison.
What is the FHA loan limit in Sacramento County?
The FHA loan limit for Sacramento County is $580,250 for a single-family home (2025). This matters because CalHFA FHA programs are capped at the FHA limit. With Sacramento's median home price around $494,000, most purchases fall well within the FHA limit.
Related Pages
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