5 Best Down Payment Assistance Programs in California 2026

California offers some of the most generous down payment assistance programs in the nation, with grants and loans ranging from $10,000 to over $150,000. The five best California down payment assistance programs for 2026 are CalHFA MyHome ($10,000), Dream For All (20% shared equity), GSFA Platinum ($42,332 grant), plus county-specific and city programs that can be combined for maximum benefit. Most programs work with FHA, VA, and conventional loans, and some offer true grants that never require repayment.

1. CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program — Up to $10,000

CalHFA MyHome is California's most established down payment assistance program, offering a silent second mortgage with 0% interest and no monthly payments. The assistance amount is capped at 3.5% of the purchase price or $10,000, whichever is less, making it ideal for lower-priced homes.

CalHFA MyHome Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for CalHFA MyHome assistance, you must meet these criteria:

• First-time buyer status: No homeownership in the past 3 years (exceptions for qualified target areas)
• Credit score: Minimum 660 FICO score required
• Income limits: Varies by county, typically 80-150% of area median income
• Homebuyer education: Must complete an approved 8-hour course before closing
• Primary residence: Property must be owner-occupied

CalHFA MyHome Loan Terms

The MyHome assistance comes as a deferred-payment junior loan with these terms:

Pro tip: CalHFA MyHome works best for homes under $285,000 where the 3.5% cap equals the $10,000 maximum. For higher-priced homes, consider GSFA Platinum for more assistance.

2. California Dream For All — Up to 20% of Purchase Price

Dream For All is California's most generous down payment program, providing up to 20% of the home's purchase price with no interest and no monthly payments. The catch: it's a shared appreciation loan, meaning you'll repay the original assistance plus a share of your home's appreciation when you sell.

Dream For All Eligibility Requirements

Dream For All has stricter requirements than other programs:

• First-time buyer: Never owned a home anywhere, ever (stricter than CalHFA)
• Credit score: Minimum 680 FICO score
• Income limits: At or below area median income for your county
• California resident: Must have lived in California for at least 1 year
• Lottery system: Program opens in waves with limited funding; must reserve a spot

How Dream For All Shared Appreciation Works

Here's an example of how the shared appreciation model works:

Warning: Dream For All funding is extremely limited. The 2025 round sold out in under 2 hours. Sign up for alerts at CalHFA.ca.gov well before the next opening.

3. GSFA Platinum — Up to $42,332 True Grant

GSFA (Golden State Finance Authority) Platinum offers one of the largest true grant programs in California—money that never needs to be repaid. Available to both first-time and repeat buyers, GSFA Platinum can provide up to 5.5% of the loan amount as a non-repayable grant.

GSFA Platinum Eligibility Requirements

GSFA Platinum has more flexible requirements than state programs:

• First-time buyer: NOT required (repeat buyers eligible)
• Credit score: Minimum 640 FICO score
• Income limits: Up to $204,000 annually (varies by county and household size)
• Property types: Single-family, condos, and 2-4 unit properties (if owner-occupied)
• No homebuyer education required (but recommended)

GSFA Platinum Grant Amounts

Key advantage: Unlike CalHFA and Dream For All, GSFA Platinum grants are true gifts with no repayment requirement, shared appreciation, or recapture. You keep 100% of your home's appreciation.

4. County-Specific Programs — Local Assistance Stacking

Many California counties offer their own down payment assistance that can be combined with state programs for maximum benefit. Here are the largest county programs in Southern California:

Los Angeles County Programs

• LA County DPA: Up to $85,000 for first-time buyers in unincorporated LA County
• City of LA LIPA: Up to $90,000 in certain neighborhoods
• Mortgage Credit Certificate: Federal tax credit worth thousands annually

Orange County Programs

• OC Housing Authority: Up to $70,000 for qualifying buyers
• City of Santa Ana: $75,000 for Santa Ana residents
• City of Anaheim: Various assistance programs by neighborhood

Riverside County Programs

• Riverside County FTHB: Up to $50,000 for first-time buyers
• City of Riverside: Additional $40,000 available in certain areas
• HERO Program: Energy efficiency financing that reduces utility costs

San Bernardino County Programs

• HSFC: Up to $60,000 in down payment assistance
• City of Ontario: $50,000 for qualifying first-time buyers
• Neighborhood Stabilization: Additional funds in target areas

Pro tip: County and city programs often have separate funding pools from state programs. A buyer in LA could potentially stack LA County DPA ($85,000) + CalHFA MyHome ($10,000) for nearly $100,000 in total assistance.

5. Employer and Union Assistance Programs

Often overlooked, employer-assisted housing programs can provide substantial down payment help for workers at participating companies:

Common Employer Assistance Programs

• Teacher programs: Many districts offer $10,000-$25,000 for teachers buying near their school
• Healthcare worker programs: Hospitals often provide housing assistance to recruit nurses and staff
• Union programs: SEIU, UFCW, and building trades unions offer member assistance
• Corporate relocation: Many employers provide down payment assistance when relocating workers

How to Find Employer Assistance

1. Check your HR department for housing benefits
2. Ask your union representative about member programs
3. Search "[Your employer] down payment assistance"
4. Check if your profession qualifies for targeted programs (teachers, nurses, first responders)

How to Maximize Your Down Payment Assistance

Getting the most from California's down payment assistance programs requires strategic planning:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Early

Before house hunting, determine which programs you qualify for:

• Pull your credit report and verify your score is 640+ (660+ for CalHFA)
• Calculate your household income against county limits
• Confirm your first-time buyer status (3-year rule vs. never-owned rule)
• Research county and city programs in your target areas

Step 2: Get Pre-Approved with an Approved Lender

Not all lenders offer all programs. Work with a lender who is approved for:

• CalHFA programs (requires specific certification)
• GSFA Platinum (requires GSFA partnership)
• Local county and city programs

Step 3: Complete Homebuyer Education

Most programs require an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Complete this early—it's often a pre-approval requirement and courses book up quickly.

Step 4: Stack Programs Strategically

The key to maximizing assistance is strategic stacking:

Which Program Is Right for You?

Use this quick guide to determine your best option:

Choose CalHFA MyHome if:

• You want simple, predictable terms
• Your home price is under $285,000
• You don't want shared appreciation obligations

Choose Dream For All if:

• You need maximum assistance (up to 20%)
• You can wait for the next funding round
• You're comfortable with shared appreciation
• You plan to stay in the home long-term (appreciation sharing hurts short stays)

Choose GSFA Platinum if:

• You want a true grant (no repayment ever)
• You're a repeat buyer (not first-time)
• Your credit score is 640-659 (too low for CalHFA)
• You want to keep all appreciation when you sell

Choose County/City Programs if:

• You're buying in a specific target area
• You want to stack assistance for maximum benefit
• You qualify for profession-specific programs (teacher, nurse, first responder)

Next Steps: Get Pre-Approved Today

Ready to use California down payment assistance? Here's what to do:

1. Check your credit score — Free at AnnualCreditReport.com
2. Calculate your income — Include all household earners
3. Research local programs — Check your county and city websites
4. Contact a DPA-approved lender — Not all lenders offer all programs
5. Complete homebuyer education — Start early, courses fill up

California's down payment assistance programs can turn a $20,000+ barrier into an achievable goal. With the right combination of programs, many buyers are purchasing homes with less than $5,000 out of pocket.

Aditya Choksi is a licensed California mortgage loan officer (NMLS #2055084) specializing in down payment assistance programs, VA loans, and first-time buyer financing. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your options.