Quick Answer
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) offers 6 down payment assistance programs with up to $150,000 in assistance (via CalHFA Forgivable Equity Builder Loan (F...). 1 program is a grant requiring no repayment. Minimum credit score: 660. All CalHFA programs are available statewide to California homebuyers.
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) is one of the most widely used sources of down payment assistance in California, offering 6 programs with up to $150,000 in assistance. California's primary state housing finance agency offering multiple down payment assistance programs statewide.
This guide covers every CalHFA program currently available, including eligibility requirements, assistance amounts, repayment terms, and how CalHFA compares to alternatives like GSFA and Chenoa Fund.
CalHFA Program Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of all CalHFA down payment assistance programs currently available in California.
| Program | Type | Max Amount | Min Credit | First-Time Buyer | Repayment | Income Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan (Closed) | Shared Appreciation | $150,000 | 660 | Yes | When the home is sold, transferred or the first mo... | Must meet CalHFA Dream For All income li... |
| CalHFA Forgivable Equity Builder Loan (FEBL) | Grant | $50,000 | 660 | Yes | Fully forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy. P... | Household income at or below 80% of Area... |
| CalHFA Down Payment Assistance - FHA | Deferred Loan | $17,500 | 660 | Yes | Deferred-payment junior loan. No monthly payments ... | Must meet CalHFA county-specific income ... |
| MyHome Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | $17,500 | 660 | Yes | Deferred-payment junior loan. No monthly payments.... | Must meet CalHFA county-specific income ... |
| CalHFA Down Payment Assistance - Conventional | Deferred Loan | $15,000 | 680 | Yes | Deferred-payment junior loan. No monthly payments ... | Must meet CalHFA county-specific income ... |
| CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP) | Deferred Loan | $10,000 | 660 | Yes | Deferred payment at 0% interest until home is sold... | Must meet CalHFA county-specific income ... |
CalHFA Programs in Detail
CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan
CalHFA
Assistance Amount
up to $150,000
up to 20% of purchase price
Repayment: When the home is sold, transferred or the first mortgage is paid in full - the homebuyer repays the ...
Requirements: One borrower must be a first-generation homebuyer. One borrower must be current resident of Californ...
Official Program PageCalHFA Forgivable Equity Builder Loan (FEBL)
CalHFA
Assistance Amount
Up to 10% of purchase price
up to 10% of purchase price
Repayment: Fully forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy. Pro-rated forgiveness if sold before 5 years.
Requirements: Must be paired with CalHFA first mortgage. Must be first-time homebuyer. Must occupy as primary resi...
Official Program PageCalHFA Down Payment Assistance - FHA
CalHFA
Assistance Amount
$17,500
Up to 3.5% (MyHome) plus up to 4.5% (ZIP) of the loan amount of purchase price
Repayment: Deferred-payment junior loan. No monthly payments required. Repaid upon sale, refinance, or payoff o...
Requirements: Must occupy property as primary residence. Must complete homebuyer education counseling. Must work w...
Official Program PageMyHome Assistance Program
CalHFA
Assistance Amount
$17,500
Up to 3.5% (FHA) or 3% (Conventional) of purchase price or appraised value of purchase price
Repayment: Deferred-payment junior loan. No monthly payments. Repaid upon sale, refinance, or payoff of first m...
Requirements: Must occupy property as primary residence. Non-occupant co-borrowers not allowed. Must complete home...
Official Program PageCalHFA Down Payment Assistance - Conventional
CalHFA
Assistance Amount
$15,000
Up to 3% (MyHome) plus up to 3% (ZIP) of the loan amount of purchase price
Repayment: Deferred-payment junior loan. No monthly payments required. Repaid upon sale, refinance, or payoff o...
Requirements: Must occupy property as primary residence. Must complete homebuyer education counseling. Must work w...
Official Program PageCalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP)
CalHFA
Assistance Amount
$10,000
2-3% of first mortgage (CalPLUS Conventional) or 3.5-4.5% of first mortgage (CalPLUS FHA) of purchase price
Repayment: Deferred payment at 0% interest until home is sold, refinanced, transferred, or first mortgage is pa...
Requirements: Must occupy property as primary residence; non-occupant co-borrowers are not allowed. Must complete ...
Official Program PageWho Is CalHFA Best For?
CalHFA is ideal for:
- First-time homebuyers across California
- Buyers who want the largest possible assistance (Dream For All up to $150,000)
- Buyers who qualify for FHA or Conventional loans with 660+ credit scores
CalHFA Program Status in 2026
CalHFA's program availability changes throughout the year as funding is allocated and exhausted. Here is where each program stands as of April 2026:
CalHFA DPA - FHA, MyHome, CalHFA DPA - Conventional, ZIP
These four programs are currently accepting applications. MyHome and the FHA DPA are the most popular, each offering up to $17,500 in deferred-payment assistance with no monthly payments required.
Forgivable Equity Builder Loan (FEBL)
FEBL's current funding allocation has been exhausted. This program offered up to $50,000 (10% of purchase price) as a forgivable loan. Check back for future funding rounds.
Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan
Dream For All offered up to $150,000 (20% of purchase price) but required sharing home appreciation with the state upon sale. All three funding rounds were exhausted within days. No new rounds have been announced for 2026.
The bottom line: for most California buyers in 2026, the active CalHFA options are the deferred-payment programs (MyHome, FHA DPA, Conventional DPA) and ZIP. These can be combined for up to $27,500 in total assistance.
How Much Can CalHFA Save You?
CalHFA programs cover your down payment so you can buy a home without draining your savings. Here is what that looks like with real numbers for a California buyer in 2026.
Example: Buying a $550,000 home in Sacramento County
Sacramento County median home price is approximately $530,000-$560,000 as of early 2026.
FHA Route
3.5% down payment = $19,250
MyHome covers up to $17,500
ZIP adds up to $10,000 for closing costs
Total CalHFA assistance: up to $27,500
Your out-of-pocket: potentially $0 down payment
Conventional Route
3% down payment = $16,500
CalHFA Conv DPA covers up to $15,000
ZIP adds up to $10,000 for closing costs
Total CalHFA assistance: up to $25,000
Your out-of-pocket: as low as $1,500 down
These are deferred loans with no monthly payments. You repay only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. No interest accrues on MyHome or ZIP assistance.
Stacking CalHFA Programs for Maximum Assistance
One of CalHFA's biggest advantages is that you can combine programs. The down payment assistance programs (MyHome, FHA DPA, Conventional DPA) can be paired with the Zero Interest Program (ZIP) for additional closing cost help.
| Combination | Max Combined | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| MyHome + ZIP (FHA) | $27,500 | Buyers who want maximum combined assistance with an FHA loan |
| CalHFA FHA DPA + ZIP | $27,500 | Similar to MyHome stack but uses CalHFA's own FHA DPA product |
| CalHFA Conv DPA + ZIP | $25,000 | Buyers who prefer conventional financing (no mortgage insurance after 80% LTV) |
All CalHFA programs require a CalHFA first mortgage. You cannot use CalHFA DPA with a non-CalHFA loan. Your lender must be an approved CalHFA originator to access these programs.
CalHFA Income Limits by County (2026)
CalHFA income limits are based on Area Median Income (AMI) and vary by county. Most programs use 80% or 150% AMI thresholds depending on the program. Here are approximate limits for California's largest metro areas:
| County | 80% AMI (FEBL) | 150% AMI (MyHome/DPA) | Median Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | ~$80,000 | ~$150,000 | ~$850,000 |
| Sacramento | ~$72,000 | ~$135,000 | ~$545,000 |
| San Diego | ~$88,000 | ~$165,000 | ~$900,000 |
| Santa Clara | ~$120,000 | ~$225,000 | ~$1,500,000 |
| Riverside | ~$68,000 | ~$127,000 | ~$580,000 |
| Orange | ~$100,000 | ~$187,000 | ~$1,100,000 |
| San Bernardino | ~$68,000 | ~$127,000 | ~$500,000 |
These are approximate household income limits for a family of 4. Actual limits vary by household size and are updated annually. Use our eligibility tool for exact limits based on your county and household size.
How to Apply for CalHFA Down Payment Assistance
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1
Check Your Eligibility
Use our free eligibility tool to see which CalHFA programs match your situation. Enter your county, income, and target home price.
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2
Find a CalHFA-Approved Lender
Not every lender participates in CalHFA programs. Work with a lender who is specifically approved by CalHFA to originate their DPA products.
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3
Complete Homebuyer Education (If Required)
Many CalHFA programs require an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Online options through eHome America and Framework are accepted by most programs.
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4
Get Pre-Approved & Find a Home
Your lender will structure the CalHFA DPA into your loan package. Some programs have purchase price limits and property type restrictions, so confirm eligibility before making offers.
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5
Close & Move In
The CalHFA DPA funds are disbursed at closing alongside your first mortgage. No separate application process — your lender handles everything.
CalHFA vs Alternatives
How does CalHFA compare to other major DPA providers in California?
CalHFA vs GSFA
CalHFA requires higher credit scores (660+ vs 620+) but offers larger programs like Dream For All. GSFA is more flexible on eligibility and doesn't always require first-time buyer status.
CalHFA vs Chenoa Fund
CalHFA offers more program variety and larger amounts. Chenoa Fund accepts lower credit scores (600+) and has simpler qualification. CalHFA requires homebuyer education; Chenoa may not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CalHFA down payment assistance?
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) offers 6 down payment assistance programs for California homebuyers. California's primary state housing finance agency offering multiple down payment assistance programs statewide. Programs range from grants to forgivable loans, deferred loans, and more.
How much assistance can I get from CalHFA?
Up to $150,000 through CalHFA programs. Top programs by amount: CalHFA Forgivable Equity Builder Loan (FEBL) ($50,000), CalHFA Down Payment Assistance - FHA ($17,500), MyHome Assistance Program ($17,500). Actual amounts depend on the specific program, your income, and purchase price.
What credit score do I need for CalHFA?
As low as 660 (MyHome Assistance Program). Credit requirements vary by program — some require 660+, others accept lower scores.
What are the CalHFA income limits?
Income limits for CalHFA programs vary by program and county. Most use Area Median Income (AMI) thresholds — commonly 80%, 120%, or 150% AMI. Use our free eligibility tool to check specific limits for your county.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer for CalHFA?
Most CalHFA programs require first-time buyer status (not owned in past 3 years).
Do I have to repay CalHFA assistance?
It depends on the program type. Grants require no repayment. Deferred loans are repaid when you sell or move out, with no monthly payments. CalHFA offers multiple assistance types to fit different situations.
How is CalHFA different from GSFA?
CalHFA requires higher credit scores (660+ vs 620+) but offers larger programs like Dream For All. GSFA is more flexible on eligibility and doesn't always require first-time buyer status.
How do I apply for CalHFA down payment assistance?
Apply through a CalHFA-approved lender, not directly with CalHFA. Step 1: Check eligibility using our free tool. Step 2: Get pre-approved with an approved lender. Step 3: Complete homebuyer education if required. Step 4: Find a home and close. The DPA is built into your mortgage.
Can I combine multiple CalHFA programs?
Yes. CalHFA's down payment programs (MyHome, FHA DPA, Conventional DPA) can be paired with the Zero Interest Program (ZIP) for additional closing cost help. The most common combination is MyHome + ZIP, which provides up to $27,500 in combined assistance. All stacked programs are deferred loans with no monthly payments.
Is Dream For All coming back in 2026?
As of April 2026, CalHFA has not announced a new Dream For All funding round. Previous rounds were exhausted within days of opening. If a new round is announced, we will update this page. In the meantime, active programs like MyHome and FEBL (when funded) offer strong alternatives.
What is the CalHFA first-time buyer requirement?
CalHFA defines "first-time homebuyer" as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years. If you previously owned a home but sold or lost it more than three years ago, you qualify again. Some exceptions exist for veterans and buyers in certain targeted areas.
| Program Name | Type | Max Assistance | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP) | Deferred Loan | $10,000 | Open |
| CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan | Shared Appreciation | $150,000 | Closed |
| CalHFA Forgivable Equity Builder Loan (FEBL) | Grant | $50,000 | Exhausted |
| CalHFA Down Payment Assistance - FHA | Deferred Loan | $17,500 | Open |
| CalHFA Down Payment Assistance - Conventional | Deferred Loan | $15,000 | Open |
| MyHome Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | $17,500 | Open |
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