Quick Answer
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) offers 7 down payment assistance programs with up to $150,000 in assistance (via SETH MyHome Plus Program). Minimum credit score: 620. 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 7 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) (Closed) | Grant | $50,000 | 660 | Yes | Fully forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy. P... | Household income at or below 80% of Area... |
| SETH MyHome Plus Program | Forgivable Loan | $25,000 | 620 | No | 10-year forgivable Community Second Loan with no m... | Varies by county; Charter level at or be... |
| 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
CalHFA 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.
Official Program PageSETH MyHome Plus Program
Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation (SETH)
Assistance Amount
Up to 5% of loan amount
5% of purchase price
Requirements: FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional loan types accepted
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
MyHome 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 mortgage.
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
CalHFA 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
Who 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
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 7 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: SETH MyHome Plus Program ($25,000), 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 620 (SETH MyHome Plus 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?
Not always. 1 CalHFA program are open to repeat buyers, including SETH MyHome Plus Program.
Do I have to repay CalHFA assistance?
It depends on the program type. Grants require no repayment. Forgivable loans are forgiven after 3-7 years. 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.
| 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 | Closed |
| 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 |
| SETH MyHome Plus Program | Forgivable Loan | $25,000 | Verify |
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