Updated July 2026 · Mike Certo, NMLS #260555

California Down Payment Assistance Programs Guide

California has one of the most robust state-level DPA ecosystems in the US — CalHFA flagship programs plus city and county DPA in major metros. Here's the practical California DPA program map.

By Mike Certo, NMLS #260555 — Updated July 2026

Key takeaways

California's main down-payment-assistance programs are CalHFA (MyHome and Dream For All) and GSFA (Platinum and Golden Opportunities), plus ReCoverCA for disaster-area buyers.
CalHFA's Dream For All is a shared-appreciation down-payment loan of up to 20% (capped at $150,000); the 2026 round accepted registrations February 24 – March 16 and is now closed; no new round has been announced as of July 2026, so we map you to alternatives if you weren't selected.
CalHFA MyHome is a deferred-payment junior loan of up to 3.5% of the price or appraised value on FHA loans (3% on conventional) for down payment or closing costs (it can't be combined with Dream For All).
GSFA Platinum and Golden Opportunities provide down-payment and closing-cost assistance for FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans — Platinum has no first-time-buyer requirement.
One DPA program per transaction; income, purchase-price, and FICO limits vary by program.

CalHFA program family

CalHFA MyHome Assistance

Deferred-payment second mortgage up to 3.5% of purchase price (FHA pairings) or 3% (conventional pairings). Payment deferred until sale, refinance, or end of first mortgage. Income limits by county; check current CalHFA income chart.

CalHFA Dream For All

Shared-appreciation down payment assistance up to 20% of purchase price. Borrower repays original assistance plus share of property appreciation at sale or refinance. Lottery-based selection. Income limits apply. See our Dream For All lottery alternatives guide.

CalHFA ZIP (Zero Interest Program)

Zero-interest closing-cost loan attached to a CalPLUS first mortgage. Since May 2025 (CalHFA Bulletin 2025-04), ZIP requires MyHome: MyHome sits in second position for the down payment and ZIP in third for closing costs. Used primarily for closing costs.

MCC (Mortgage Credit Certificate)

A federal tax credit worth up to $2,000 per year for the life of the loan — issued through county housing agencies in California with limited, funding-dependent allocations, not by CalHFA statewide. Availability varies by county and changes often; we check your county's current status. Not cash assistance — it reduces federal tax owed each year. Talk to your CPA for tax implications.

Major California city DPA programs

City of Los Angeles HOP (Home Ownership Program) — second mortgage assistance for income-eligible Los Angeles buyers
City of San Diego DPA — first-time buyer programs administered by San Diego Housing Commission
City of San Francisco DALP (Down Payment Assistance Loan Program) — assistance for moderate-income San Francisco buyers
City of Oakland — first-time buyer programs
City of Sacramento — first-time buyer DPA programs
City of San Jose — first-time buyer programs
City of Berkeley — workforce housing programs

Major California county DPA programs

Los Angeles County HOP — separate from City of Los Angeles program
San Bernardino County HOMEbuyer Program
Riverside County First-Time Homebuyer Program
Orange County affordable housing programs
Sacramento County Mortgage Assistance Program

Eligibility variables

Each California DPA program has its own rules around:

Income limit: Typically tied to county area median income (AMI) — 80%, 120%, or 140% depending on program
Purchase-price limit: Often county-specific; matches HFA loan-limit structure
Credit score: Typically 640+ for state DPA; some national programs accept 600+
Occupancy: Primary residence only
First-time buyer: Required for many programs; HUD 3-year definition applies
Homebuyer education: Required for most programs

One assistance program per transaction

You select ONE DPA program per home purchase. CalHFA programs generally don't combine with each other. City programs don't combine with CalHFA. The exception is an MCC tax credit (where your county has funding available), which can sometimes layer with another DPA program because it's a federal tax credit rather than cash assistance.

Next step

20-minute call. Bring city/county, household income, FICO ballpark, target purchase price. We map your top 2-3 program fits.

Get a California DPA program match

Send a short note. We'll identify which California DPA program fits your scenario.

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FAQ

Is the California Dream For All program still available in 2026?

The 2026 round (round 3) accepted registrations February 24 through March 16, 2026 and is now closed; no next round has been announced as of July 2026. We help buyers get Dream-For-All-ready — pre-approval, the required education courses, and first-generation documentation — so they can register the day a new window opens.

How does the Dream For All shared appreciation repayment work?

You receive up to 20% of the purchase price (maximum $150,000) with no monthly payment. When you sell or refinance, you repay the original amount plus 20% of your home's appreciation — 15% if your income is at or below 80% of area median — with the appreciation share capped at 2.5 times the original loan. If the home doesn't appreciate, you repay only the original amount.

Who qualifies for Dream For All? What is the first-generation requirement?

You must be a first-time buyer AND a first-generation buyer: to the best of your knowledge, your parents have no current ownership interest in a U.S. home (buyers who spent time in foster care also qualify). Minimum credit score 680, or 660 if income is at or below 80% of area median, plus county income limits and two required education courses.

Is CalPLUS with ZIP still available?

Yes — CalPLUS with ZIP is active. Many older articles say it was discontinued; it wasn't. Since May 2025 (CalHFA Bulletin 2025-04), the ZIP closing-cost loan pairs with MyHome: MyHome sits in second position for the down payment and ZIP in third for closing costs. We structure all three pieces in one approval.

What are the income limits for CalHFA programs?

CalHFA sets limits by county — for 2026, Los Angeles County's limit is $214,000 for standard CalHFA programs, while Dream For All uses lower limits (about $168,000 in LA County). Limits refresh each summer, so we verify your county's current figure before you apply.

Can I get down payment assistance in California if I'm not a first-time buyer?

Yes — GSFA Platinum offers up to 5.5% of the loan amount and GSFA Golden Opportunities up to 5% (620 credit floor), and neither requires first-time-buyer status. Through August 31, 2026, Platinum's "Select" gift option — assistance with no repayment — is open to all eligible borrowers. CalHFA also waives the first-time requirement on its first mortgages when used without down payment assistance.

Is there a dollar cap on CalHFA MyHome?

Not anymore — the old $15,000 cap was eliminated for loans locked on or after February 28, 2022. The full percentage applies at today's prices: up to 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is less) on FHA, or 3% on conventional.

How much down payment assistance can I get in California?

CalHFA MyHome offers up to 3.5% on FHA loans or 3% on conventional, of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value; CalHFA Dream For All offers up to 20%, capped at $150,000; and GSFA Platinum and Golden Opportunities also provide down-payment and closing-cost help. One DPA program per transaction.

Who qualifies as a first-time home buyer in California?

In California you are considered a first-time buyer if you have not owned and occupied a home in the past three years, and the home must be your primary residence.

Can I combine CalHFA MyHome with a city or county DPA program?

Generally no. You select one DPA program per transaction. The exception is a county-issued MCC (federal tax credit), which can sometimes layer with another DPA program.

What's the credit floor for California DPA?

Most CalHFA and city/county programs require 640+. Some national programs (Chenoa Fund) accept 600+.

Does Dream For All require giving up future home appreciation?

Yes — the program structure shares property appreciation between borrower and CalHFA. Borrower repays original DPA + a share of appreciation at sale or refinance. Talk through implications during the consult.

Are there California DPA programs without income limits?

National programs like Chenoa Fund, Arrive Home, and Essex/NHF typically don't have income limits — useful for higher-income California buyers who exceed CalHFA caps.