California Down Payment Assistance in 2026
Down payment assistance California 2026 programs help buyers cover the cash that usually stops a purchase: the down payment and closing costs. California’s median home price sits near the high-$700,000s, so even an FHA loan’s 3.5% minimum runs past $27,000 before closing costs. The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) runs the main statewide programs, GSFA offers a separate statewide option, and many cities and counties layer their own help on top. This guide covers what each program pays, who qualifies, the 2026 loan limits that shape how much you can borrow, and how to apply.
Author: AskDoss Mortgage Editorial Team
Reviewed by: AskDoss Editorial Standards Desk
Last updated: July 8, 2026 | All program data verified against official sources on July 8, 2026.
How California down payment assistance actually works
Most California assistance is a loan, not a grant. CalHFA pairs a first mortgage with a junior “silent second” that covers some or all of your down payment and closing costs. These deferred seconds usually carry no monthly payment and no interest; you repay the principal when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. A few programs work differently: GSFA Platinum can provide gift funds with no repayment, and the Dream For All loan asks you to repay the original amount plus a share of your home’s appreciation.
A few rules apply across almost every program:
- You apply through an approved lender, not directly to the agency.
- You complete a homebuyer education course before closing.
- The home must be your primary residence.
- Income limits set by county decide eligibility. CalHFA dropped statewide sales-price caps years ago, so for its core programs your county income limit, not a price cap, is the gate.
California DPA programs for 2026
Here is how the main statewide options compare. Local city and county programs are covered further down.
| Program | Type | Maximum assistance | First-time buyer required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CalHFA MyHome Assistance | Deferred 0% junior loan | Up to 3.5% of price/value (FHA/government); up to 3% (conventional) | Yes | Repaid at sale, refinance, or payoff |
| CalHFA Dream For All | Shared appreciation loan | Up to 20% of price, not to exceed $150,000 | Yes, and at least one borrower must be first-generation | 2026 registration window has closed; see status below |
| GSFA Platinum | Grant or deferred assistance | Up to 5.5% of the loan amount | No | Not limited to first-time buyers; DTI up to 50% may qualify |
| Forgivable Equity Builder Loan | Forgivable second (historical) | 10% (when funded) | Yes | Funding exhausted; not currently offered (see flag below) |
CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program
MyHome is the everyday workhorse of CalHFA assistance. It provides a deferred-payment junior loan up to the lesser of:
- 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value on FHA and other government loans, or
- 3% of the purchase price or appraised value on conventional loans.
There is no monthly payment. You repay the principal when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home. To qualify you must be a first-time homebuyer (you have not owned and occupied a home in the past three years), meet CalHFA’s county income limits, and complete homebuyer education. Credit and debt-ratio minimums are set by your approved lender within CalHFA guidelines.
Source: CalHFA MyHome, https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/homebuyer/programs/myhome.htm (accessed 2026-06-20)
CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan
Dream For All is the program that can cover an entire conventional down payment. It offers up to 20% of the purchase price for down payment and/or closing costs, not to exceed $150,000, used with the Dream For All Conventional first mortgage. When you sell the home or pay off the first mortgage, you repay the original loan amount plus a share of the home’s appreciation. Borrowers earning at or below 80% of area median income repay a reduced 15% appreciation share instead of 20%.
Eligibility: all borrowers must be first-time homebuyers, and at least one borrower must be a first-generation homebuyer (defined by CalHFA based on the borrower’s parents’ homeownership history). Combined household income must fall within CalHFA’s income limit for the county you are buying in. The minimum credit score generally runs 660 to 680 depending on income.
2026 status: Dream For All uses a randomized voucher drawing, not first-come, first-served. The 2026 pre-registration portal opened February 24, 2026 and closed March 16, 2026. As of June 2026 the portal is closed and no new applications can be started; CalHFA has been releasing vouchers to selected registrants from that round. If you missed the 2026 window, do not build your purchase around Dream For All. Watch the CalHFA page for any future round.
Source: CalHFA Dream For All, https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/dream/ (accessed 2026-06-20)
GSFA Platinum
The Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Platinum program is a separate statewide option and a strong choice for buyers who are not first-time buyers. It offers financial assistance of up to 5.5% of the loan amount toward down payment and/or closing costs. Under the current “Platinum Select” terms, the assistance can be structured as gift funds with no repayment required for eligible borrowers. GSFA Platinum is not limited to first-time homebuyers, and debt-to-income ratios up to 50% may qualify. You work through a GSFA participating lender.
Source: GSFA Platinum, https://www.gsfahome.org/programs/dpa/platinum.shtml (accessed 2026-06-20)
Forgivable Equity Builder Loan (flagged: not currently offered)
You will still see this program named on third-party sites. CalHFA’s Forgivable Equity Builder Loan offered a forgivable second of 10% of the purchase price for very low-income buyers, forgiven if the buyer kept the home as a primary residence. Its funding was exhausted and the program stopped accepting reservations after November 30, 2022. It is not currently funded or offered. Treat any “10% forgivable” claim for 2026 as outdated unless CalHFA announces new funding.
Source: CalHFA homeownership bulletin 2022-10, https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/homeownership/bulletins/2022/2022-10.pdf (accessed 2026-06-20)
CalPLUS with ZIP
CalHFA also offers CalPLUS, an FHA or conventional first mortgage carried at a slightly higher rate and paired with the Zero Interest Program (ZIP). ZIP is a small deferred, 0% “silent” second sized at a set percentage of the first loan, but it is reserved for closing costs and prepaids only, not the down payment. Buyers often combine CalPLUS and ZIP with MyHome so one program covers the down payment while the other covers closing costs.
Source: CalHFA CalPLUS, https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/homebuyer/programs/calplus.htm (accessed 2026-07-08)
2026 loan limits that shape your California purchase
How much you can borrow, and therefore how much assistance you need, depends on the 2026 loan limits. California is a high-cost state, so many counties use limits well above the national floor.
| Limit (1-unit, 2026) | Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Conforming baseline | $832,750 | Conventional loans in most counties |
| Conforming high-cost ceiling | $1,249,125 | Conventional loans in high-cost CA counties |
| FHA floor (low-cost) | $541,287 | FHA loans in lower-cost counties |
| FHA ceiling (high-cost) | $1,249,125 | FHA loans in high-cost CA counties |
The 2026 baseline conforming loan limit for a one-unit home is $832,750, effective January 1, 2026, and the high-cost ceiling is $1,249,125 (150% of the baseline). Many California counties, including much of the Bay Area and coastal Southern California, use limits above the floor and up to that ceiling.
Source: FHFA, https://www.fhfa.gov/news/news-release/fhfa-announces-conforming-loan-limit-values-for-2026 (accessed 2026-06-20)
For FHA loans, the 2026 floor is $541,287 (65% of the baseline) and the high-cost ceiling is $1,249,125. Your county’s actual FHA limit falls somewhere in that range based on local home prices.
Source: HUD-25-145, https://www.hud.gov/news/hud-no-25-145 (accessed 2026-06-20)
Here is how the 2026 FHA one-unit limit lands in several California counties:
| County | 2026 FHA limit (1-unit) |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,249,125 (high-cost ceiling) |
| Sacramento | $764,750 |
| Riverside | $690,000 |
| Fresno | $541,287 (floor) |
Confirm your county’s exact figure on the HUD FHA mortgage limits lookup before you make an offer, since limits are set county by county.
If you are using a VA loan, there is no down payment requirement for eligible borrowers, but plan for the VA funding fee: 2.15% on a first-use, zero-down purchase; 3.3% on a subsequent-use, zero-down purchase; 1.5% with 5% or more down; and 1.25% with 10% or more down. Borrowers with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher are exempt from the funding fee.
Source: VA, https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/funding-fee-and-closing-costs/ (accessed 2026-06-20)
City and local down payment assistance in California
On top of state programs, many California cities and counties run their own assistance, often with deeper amounts for lower-income buyers. Amounts and rules change frequently and are set by each jurisdiction, so confirm current figures with the program office before you count on them. Common examples include:
- City of Los Angeles LIPA (Low Income Purchase Assistance): deferred loans for buyers at or below 80% AMI purchasing within the city, repaid on sale, refinance, or when the home stops being owner-occupied.
- San Francisco DALP (Down Payment Assistance Loan Program): deferred second mortgages for first-time buyers, with income limits.
- San Diego Housing Commission first-time homebuyer assistance: deferred loans for buyers below 80% AMI buying within the City of San Diego, with a HUD-approved education course required.
A HUD-approved housing counselor in California can help you find current local programs, including employer-assisted housing and nonprofit options. Because these dollar amounts change, we are not stating fixed figures here; ask the program office or a HUD counselor for the current number.
Who qualifies for California down payment assistance
Four things decide eligibility for most programs:
- Income. Statewide CalHFA programs use county income limits. Local programs often cap income at 80% to 120% of area median income, which varies a lot across California’s counties. The same salary can qualify in one county and not in another.
- First-time status. MyHome and Dream For All require that you have not owned and occupied a home in the past three years. Dream For All adds the first-generation requirement for at least one borrower. GSFA Platinum has no first-time requirement.
- Homebuyer education. CalHFA requires an approved course before closing. CalHFA accepts eHome’s eight-hour online course (about $100) or live counseling through NeighborWorks America or a HUD-approved agency.
- Owner-occupancy. The home must be your primary residence. Investment properties and second homes do not qualify.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your county income limit on the CalHFA homebuyer page. This is the main gate for the statewide programs.
- Estimate your budget. Use an affordability tool and our home-buying guide and how much house can I afford resources to set a realistic price range.
- Complete homebuyer education early. CalHFA’s accepted course must be finished before closing, and starting late can delay your contract.
- Find an approved lender. You cannot apply to CalHFA or GSFA directly. Use their participating-lender lists; not every mortgage company takes part.
- Get pre-approved and layer the assistance. Your lender adds MyHome (or stacks GSFA Platinum, or applies a Dream For All voucher if you hold one) on top of your first mortgage.
- Budget for what assistance does not cover. Plan for earnest money, inspection, and any closing costs the program does not pay.
Because assistance rides on top of your first mortgage, current mortgage rates affect both your monthly payment and how much help you actually need.
How assistance affects your mortgage
- Mortgage insurance still applies. Down payment help does not remove FHA mortgage insurance (MIP) or conventional private mortgage insurance (PMI). If assistance keeps your equity under 20%, expect insurance in your monthly payment. FHA MIP runs for the life of most FHA loans; conventional PMI can be canceled as you build equity.
- The deferred second comes due. A 0% deferred second has no monthly payment, but the balance is owed when you sell or refinance. Plan for it.
- Shared appreciation is a real cost. With Dream For All, you repay the original loan plus 15% to 20% of your home’s appreciation. In a strong market that share can be sizable, so run the numbers before committing.
- A repayable second adds to your debt ratio. If any assistance carries a monthly payment, lenders count it in your debt-to-income ratio, which can lower how much home you qualify for.
- You still need some cash. Even with help, budget for earnest money, inspection, and uncovered closing costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is California down payment assistance a grant you never repay?
Usually no. CalHFA’s MyHome is a deferred second loan: no monthly payment and no interest, but you repay the principal when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home. Dream For All goes further, adding a 15% to 20% share of your home’s appreciation. GSFA Platinum is the main exception; under current terms it can provide gift funds with no repayment required for eligible borrowers.
How much down payment help can I get in California in 2026?
MyHome provides up to 3.5% of the price on FHA/government loans or 3% on conventional loans. GSFA Platinum offers up to 5.5% of the loan amount. Dream For All, when its window is open, offers up to 20% of the purchase price for down payment and closing costs, capped at $150,000. Local city programs can add more, but their amounts vary and should be confirmed with the program office.
Can I still apply for Dream For All in 2026?
Not right now. The 2026 pre-registration portal ran February 24 to March 16, 2026, and is closed. CalHFA has been issuing vouchers to people who registered in that round through a randomized drawing. New applications cannot be started until and unless CalHFA opens another round.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
For MyHome and Dream For All, you must not have owned and occupied a home in the past three years, and Dream For All also requires that at least one borrower is a first-generation homebuyer. GSFA Platinum has no first-time requirement, which makes it useful for repeat buyers.
Do California counties have higher loan limits because it is expensive?
Yes. The 2026 conforming baseline is $832,750, but many high-cost California counties use limits up to the $1,249,125 ceiling. FHA limits work the same way, ranging from a $541,287 floor up to a $1,249,125 ceiling depending on the county.
How do I apply for CalHFA assistance?
Apply through a CalHFA-approved lender, not the agency. Complete the required homebuyer education course, check your county income limit, get pre-approved, and have the lender add the assistance second to your CalHFA first mortgage.
Related guides
- how down payment assistance works nationwide
- Texas down payment assistance programs
- Florida down payment assistance
- Georgia Dream and other Georgia programs
- Arizona Home Plus assistance
- Colorado down payment help
- Washington State assistance programs
- estimate your California closing costs
- how much house you can afford
- 2026 FHA loan requirements
- buying with no money down
- USDA zero-down loans in rural California
Sources
- FHFA, Conforming Loan Limit Values for 2026, https://www.fhfa.gov/news/news-release/fhfa-announces-conforming-loan-limit-values-for-2026 (accessed 2026-06-20)
- HUD, FHA 2026 Loan Limits, HUD-25-145, https://www.hud.gov/news/hud-no-25-145 (accessed 2026-06-20)
- CalHFA, MyHome Assistance Program, https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/homebuyer/programs/myhome.htm (accessed 2026-06-20)
- CalHFA, Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan, https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/dream/ (accessed 2026-06-20)
- GSFA, Platinum Program, https://www.gsfahome.org/programs/dpa/platinum.shtml (accessed 2026-06-20)
- CalHFA, Homeownership Bulletin 2022-10 (Forgivable Equity Builder Loan), https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/homeownership/bulletins/2022/2022-10.pdf (accessed 2026-06-20)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA funding fee, https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/funding-fee-and-closing-costs/ (accessed 2026-06-20)