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.
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.
2025 lottery: tens of thousands of applicants for thousands of slots. Chance of selection: low. Most applicants needed a backup plan.
MyHome Assistance Program (always available)
MyHome is CalHFA's flagship deferred-payment second mortgage. Up to 3.5% of the loan amount as DPA (FHA) or 3% (conventional). No monthly payment. Repaid at sale or refinance.
Pairs with the CalHFA standard first mortgage at HFA pricing. Income and purchase price limits apply by county.
ZIP — closing cost assistance overlay
ZIP layers on top of MyHome. Provides additional 3% in closing cost assistance — separate second mortgage, also deferred.
Stacking MyHome 3.5% + ZIP 3% = 6.5% of loan amount in assistance for FHA borrowers. Significant.
CalPLUS — zero-interest closing cost loan
CalPLUS is a second mortgage at 0% interest covering closing costs. Different from ZIP in structure but similar effect. Pairs with the CalHFA first.
Common questions
Can I stack MyHome + ZIP + CalPLUS?
MyHome + ZIP is the common stack. CalPLUS is typically an alternative to ZIP, not stackable with it.
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?
Yes — annual lotteries. Some buyers buy with MyHome + ZIP now and refinance to a Dream For All structure if selected in a future round (rare due to mechanics).
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.