CalHFA Dream For All lottery — what to do if you didn't get picked in 2026
Dream For All has more demand than funding. Most lottery applicants don't get picked. That doesn't mean you can't buy — California has multiple DPA paths that don't require lottery luck.
Program figures verified July 2026 — details change; confirm your scenario with us.
Why the Dream For All lottery is hard to win
Dream For All offers up to 20% shared-appreciation DPA — buyer puts down 0%, the state takes 20% appreciation share when the home sells. Demand far exceeds the annual allocation, so eligibility is determined by random lottery, not first-come.
The 2026 registration round drew far more registrants than available funding. Chance of selection: low. Most registrants needed a backup plan.
MyHome Assistance Program (always available)
MyHome is CalHFA's flagship deferred-payment second mortgage. Up to Up to 3.5% (FHA) or 3% (conventional) of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value. No monthly payment. Repaid at sale, transfer, refinance, or payoff of the first mortgage.
Pairs with the CalHFA standard first mortgage at HFA pricing. Income and purchase price limits apply by county.
ZIP — closing cost assistance overlay
ZIP is the zero-interest closing-cost loan on a CalPLUS first mortgage — up to 3% more, in third position behind MyHome (since May 2025, ZIP requires MyHome). Also deferred, no monthly payment.
Stacked, MyHome (up to 3.5%) plus ZIP (up to 3%) can mean roughly 6.5% in combined assistance on the CalPLUS FHA structure. Significant.
CalPLUS — zero-interest closing cost loan
CalPLUS is a CalHFA first-mortgage program — ZIP is the zero-interest closing-cost loan that attaches to it. Since May 2025 (CalHFA Bulletin 2025-04), ZIP requires MyHome: CalPLUS first mortgage, MyHome second lien for down payment, ZIP third lien for closing costs. Pairs with the CalHFA first.
Common questions
Can I stack MyHome + ZIP + CalPLUS?
Yes — that's exactly the current structure: a CalPLUS first mortgage with MyHome in second position (down payment) and ZIP in third (closing costs). Since May 2025, ZIP requires MyHome — the three pieces are approved together.
Do these alternatives work in LA County's high-cost market?
Yes — though purchase price limits apply. High-cost LA areas have higher limits, but properties above the cap need conventional cash.
What's the credit score floor?
640 for most CalHFA programs.
Can I re-enter the Dream For All lottery next year?
Rounds ran in 2023, 2024, and 2026, but future rounds aren't guaranteed — no round 4 has been announced as of July 2026. The strategy that works: get pre-approved, complete the required education courses, and have first-generation documentation ready so you can register the day a window opens. Dream For All is purchase financing, so buying now with MyHome + ZIP means that home won't use DFA later.
How Mike + Cornerstone help
I'm licensed in California. We help LA-metro, Bay Area, and San Diego buyers structure DPA stacks that don't depend on Dream For All lottery luck. MyHome + ZIP is the workhorse alternative that closes deals all year.
Talk to Mike first Get pre-approved
No pressure, no commitment. Free 20-minute consult. Mike will look at your scenario and tell you straight whether this works for you.