Homebuyer Programs Overview

Open

California Housing Finance AgencyCAFirst-Time Homeowner

Funding: Assistance amounts vary by CalHFA program and may include down payment help like the MyHome Assistance Program, zero interest junior loans, and other specialized options such as Dream For All that are generally calculated as a percentage of the purchase price or loan amount.State housing finance agency programs that pair fixed rate first mortgages with a range of subordinate loans and assistance options such as down payment and closing cost help for eligible homebuyers.RollingDeadline: Scope: Statewide (California)state

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Summary

Overview portal of CalHFA’s suite of homebuyer assistance programs for first-time homebuyers in California.

Benefits

down payment assistanceclosing cost assistancefirst mortgagestate housing finance agencyfixed rate loanhomebuyer education requiredCalifornia homebuyer support

Who Can Apply

homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerCalifornia homebuyer

Eligible Locations

First time and other eligible homebuyers purchasing an owner occupied primary residence anywhere in California who meet California Housing Finance Agency income limits, credit guidelines, homebuyer education requirements and property standards for the specific CalHFA program they use.

Eligibility

First-time homebuyers, meet specific program criteria (loan type, income, credit, occupancy)

Full Description

This page lists multiple CalHFA programs including down payment assistance (like MyHome), conventional and FHA loans, USDA rural programs, and more. It is a doorway to multiple first-time homebuyer resources. (CalHFA)

Verification & Details

Status: Open

Source: calhfa.ca.gov

Official source → calhfa.ca.gov

Apply on official siteUpdated Dec 6, 2025

Recommended Resource

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A complete first-time homebuyer toolkit: 9 checklists, timelines, grant guidance, worksheets + editable Excel/Google Sheet budget & affordability calculator.

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More statewide programs

Explore additional grants available throughout California that complement this opportunity.

Local Housing Trust Fund Program

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California Department of Housing & Community DevelopmentCAFirst-Time HomeownerState administered competitive and formula based matching grants that provide dollar for dollar state funds to eligible local or regional housing trust funds in order to expand affordable housing activities, including some first time homebuyer and ownership assistance.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

The LHTF program provides state funds to match local housing trust funds, which in turn fund affordable housing activities including acquisition, rehabilitation, and homeownership support

Eligible for: Local/regional housing trust funds (public or nonprofit) that support affordable housing including homeownership.

Funding: Provides state matching funds to local housing trust funds on a dollar for dollar basis, with individual award sizes depending on the size of the local contribution, program round and scoring, so the program does not publish one fixed grant amount.Deadline: timing variesVariesStatewide (California via local and regional housing trust funds)local governmentcounty governmentcity governmenttribal governmentregional agencynonprofit housing trust fundmatching grantlocal housing trust fundaffordable housing productionhomeownership supportgap financingstate housing program

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Local Housing Trust Fund Program

Open

California Department of Housing & Community DevelopmentCAFirst-Time HomeownerState matching grant program that provides dollar for dollar funds to eligible local or regional housing trust funds to expand resources for affordable housing activities including homeownership assistance.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

The LHTF program provides state funds to match local housing trust funds, which in turn fund affordable housing activities including acquisition, rehabilitation, and homeownership support

Eligible for: Local/regional housing trust funds (public or nonprofit) that support affordable housing including homeownership.

Funding: Provides state matching funds to local housing trust funds based on locally raised revenue, with award sizes determined by the program formula and funding availability rather than a fixed household level grant amount.Deadline: timing variesVariesStatewide (California local and regional housing trust funds)local governmentcounty governmentcity governmentregional agencynonprofit housing trusttribal governmentmatching grantlocal housing trust fundaffordable housingdown payment assistanceproduction and rehabilitationstate housing program

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CalHFA Homebuyer Programs Overview

Open

California Housing Finance AgencyCAFirst-Time HomeownerState housing finance agency programs that offer 30 year fixed rate mortgages combined with optional down payment and closing cost assistance through junior loans and specialty products targeted at first time buyers.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

A broad overview of CalHFA’s suite of homebuyer loan and assistance programs for first-time buyers in California.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers, meet income/credit/homebuyer education requirements

Funding: Assistance levels differ by program but generally provide a percentage of the purchase price or loan amount to be used for down payment and closing costs through tools like the MyHome Assistance Program and other CalHFA subordinate financing options.Deadline: Rolling depending on programRollingStatewide (California)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerCalifornia homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancefirst mortgagestate housing finance agencyfixed rate loanhomebuyer education requiredCalifornia homebuyer support

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Pathway to Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program

Temporarily Closed

California Association of REALTORSCAFirst-Time HomeownerStatewide closing cost assistance provided as a non repayable grant funded through the California Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Fund in partnership with a nonprofit administrator.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

A grant program to assist first-time homebuyers in underserved communities with closing costs, up to $10,000, in partnership with REALTORS.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers from underserved communities, ≤ 120% AMI, must use California REALTOR®, no more than $20k savings post-purchase

Funding: Provides a grant of up to 10000 dollars that can be applied toward eligible closing costs with no repayment required if program conditions are met.Deadline: First-come, first-serve; funding currently depleted as of mid-2024 First-comeStatewide (California)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerunderserved community homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerCalifornia homebuyerclosing cost assistancegrantnonprofit partnershipunderserved borrowersCalifornia homebuyer supportfirst time buyer incentive

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MyHome Assistance Program

Open

California Housing Finance AgencyCAFirst-Time HomeownerState housing finance agency junior loan that provides a deferred payment silent second mortgage to cover part of the down payment and closing costs when paired with a CalHFA first mortgage.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Deferred-payment junior loan for down payment/closing costs to help first-time buyers access homeownership.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers (or no ownership last 3 years), primary residence, must use CalHFA first mortgage; meet income/credit limits; home mus…

Funding: Offers assistance up to 3.5 percent of the purchase price or appraised value for FHA and conventional loans and up to 3 percent for USDA or VA loans, structured as a deferred payment junior loan due when the first mortgage is refinanced, paid off or the home is sold.Deadline: Rolling / when funds availableRollingStatewide (California)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerCalifornia homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancedeferred payment loanjunior lienstate housing finance agencysilent second mortgageCalifornia homebuyer support

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LA Region Small Business Relief Fund

Closed

Los Angeles County Department of Economic OpportunityCASmall BusinessGrant

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

The LA Region Small Business Relief Fund provides targeted disaster-recovery grants of $2,000–$25,000 to help Los Angeles County small businesses and nonprofits recover from the January 2025 windstorm and wildfires, with higher awards for fully or partially destroyed locations and prioritized support for the hardest-hit brick-and-mortar operations.

Eligible for: Small businesses and nonprofits headquartered and operating in Los Angeles County that were financially impacted by the January 7, 2025 wind…

Funding: Cash assistance grants from 2000 to 25000 for eligible small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the January 2025 windstorm and wildfires, with tiers based on disaster impact and business type.Deadline: 2025-03-12FixedCountySmall businessNonprofitDisaster recoveryWorking capital

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