CalHome Program

Open

California Department of Housing and Community DevelopmentCAFirst-Time Homeowner

Funding: Program level awards to local sponsors are determined through NOFA rounds, and sponsors then make individual deferred payment loans sized to household need and program limits rather than a single standardized grant amount.State program that provides grants to local public agencies and nonprofit corporations which in turn offer deferred payment loans and related assistance to low and very low income homeowners and first time homebuyers.NOFADeadline: Scope: Statewide (California via local program operators)state

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Summary

Enables first-time homebuyers and homeowners in need of rehab to access affordable homeownership or preserve owner-occupied housing.

Benefits

deferred payment loandown payment assistanceowner occupied rehabilitationADU and JADU supportstate housing programlow-income homeowner assistance

Who Can Apply

local governmentcounty governmentcity governmentnonprofit housing organizationtribal government

Eligible Locations

Local public agencies, nonprofit corporations and tribal governments in California that apply through CalHome Notices of Funding Availability and then use awarded funds to assist eligible low and very low income households with down payment assistance, owner occupied rehabilitation, acquisition rehabilitation or ADU and JADU activities.

Eligibility

Local public agencies and nonprofit corporations apply; assists individual homeowners via deferred loans

Full Description

The CalHome Program offers grants to local public agencies and nonprofits, which then provide individual households with deferred-payment loans for down payment assistance, home rehabilitation (including manufactured homes not on permanent foundations), acquisition/rehabilitation, homebuyer counseling, self-help homeownership assistance, and ADU/JADU support. Programs are awarded via Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and funds are repayable upon sale/transfer or non-owner-occupancy. (California Housing and Community Development)

Verification & Details

Status: Open

Source: hcd.ca.gov

Official source → hcd.ca.gov

Apply on official siteUpdated Dec 6, 2025

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