California Down Payment Assistance Programs
Access multiple down payment assistance programs in California. Get $0 to $150,000 in grants and loans to help you buy your first home. Expert guidance included.
Check Your Eligibility
Free consultation on all available programs
California Down Payment Assistance Programs 2026
California down payment assistance can reduce the cash you need at closing, but each program comes with different income limits, repayment terms, and property rules. Compare statewide and local options together so you can stack the best fit instead of chasing a single headline number.
Multiple programs available with different eligibility requirements and benefit amounts. We'll help you find the best combination for maximum assistance. If Dream For All timing is uncertain, review our CA Dream For All 2026 update + alternatives.
CalHFA MyHome Assistance
Most popular statewide program
- 3% of loan amount or $120k max
- 0% interest, deferred payment
- Income limits up to $191,550
- Available statewide
Dream For All Program
Shared appreciation loan
- Up to 20% of purchase price
- 0% interest, shared appreciation
- Income limits vary by county
- First-time buyers only
Local County Programs
City & county specific
- Riverside County programs
- San Bernardino programs
- City-specific grants
- Can combine with state programs
How Down Payment Assistance Works
Simple 4-step process to access thousands in down payment assistance
1. Apply for Pre-Approval
Get pre-approved for your home loan and check eligibility for assistance programs simultaneously.
2. Calculate Your Benefits
We calculate exactly how much assistance you qualify for across all available programs.
3. Find Your Home
Shop for homes knowing exactly how much assistance you have available for down payment and closing costs.
4. Close with Assistance
Your assistance funds are applied at closing, reducing your out-of-pocket costs significantly.
Is the CA Dream For All Program Still Available in 2026?
Yes, with limited availability. California's Dream For All program launched in 2026 and continues accepting applications in 2026, though funding is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The program provides up to 20% of your home's purchase price (maximum $150,000) as a shared appreciation loan with 0% interest and no monthly payment.
What "shared appreciation" means: When you sell or refinance, you repay the loan amount plus a proportional share of any home appreciation. For example, if Dream For All provides 20% of your purchase price, they receive 20% of the appreciation when you sell. If your $600,000 home sells for $750,000, you'd owe the original $120,000 loan plus 20% of the $150,000 gain ($30,000) = $150,000 total. If you're comparing this route against a low-down-payment conventional loan, find out how much PMI costs before deciding which option leaves you with the better monthly payment.
CA Dream For All Program 2026-2026 Key Details:
- Loan Amount: Up to 20% of purchase price or $150,000 (whichever is less)
- Interest Rate: 0% — no monthly payment on the assistance loan
- Income Limits: Vary by county — from $153,000 in most rural counties up to $310,000 in Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara (CalHFA official table, effective 06.30.2026). See the full county-by-county list below.
- First-Time Buyers Only: Haven't owned a home in the past 3 years
- 2026 Status: Accepting applications but funding runs out quickly — apply early
How to apply: Contact me to confirm current availability and reserve your spot. Dream For All funding is released in waves, and each round fills within days. I can pre-qualify you and submit your application the moment new funding opens.
Dream For All Income Limits 2026: County-by-County Guide
Dream For All income limits vary by county and household size. The table below shows maximum qualifying income for California's most-searched counties as of June 30, 2026 (CalHFA official limits). Most counties use a $153,000 base limit, while high-cost Bay Area counties allow up to $307,500 for larger households.
| County | 1 Person | 2 Person | 3 Person | 4+ Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda | $204,750 | $234,000 | $263,250 | $292,500 |
| Contra Costa | $187,000 | $213,750 | $240,500 | $267,250 |
| Los Angeles | $153,000 | $174,750 | $196,500 | $218,250 |
| Marin | $215,250 | $246,000 | $276,750 | $307,500 |
| Orange | $187,000 | $213,750 | $240,500 | $267,250 |
| Riverside | $153,000 | $174,750 | $196,500 | $218,250 |
| Sacramento | $153,000 | $174,750 | $196,500 | $218,250 |
| San Bernardino | $153,000 | $174,750 | $196,500 | $218,250 |
| San Diego | $153,000 | $174,750 | $196,500 | $218,250 |
| San Francisco | $215,250 | $246,000 | $276,750 | $307,500 |
| San Mateo | $215,250 | $246,000 | $276,750 | $307,500 |
| Santa Clara | $215,250 | $246,000 | $276,750 | $307,500 |
| Ventura | $176,250 | $201,500 | $226,750 | $252,000 |
| Most Other Counties | $153,000 | $174,750 | $196,500 | $218,250 |
How to Use This Table
- Find your county in the left column
- Match your household size to the corresponding income column
- Your total gross income must be AT OR BELOW the limit shown
- Household size counts all adults + children living in the home
- Income includes wages, self-employment, rental income, alimony, and other sources
Example: A 3-person household in Riverside County qualifies if total gross income is $196,500 or less. A 2-person household in San Francisco qualifies up to $246,000.
Not sure if you qualify? Contact me for a free eligibility review. I'll calculate your exact qualifying income and confirm which Dream For All tier applies to your county and household size.
General Eligibility Requirements
Most down payment assistance programs have similar basic requirements, though specific details vary by program.
Income Limits
Generally 80% to 120% of Area Median Income (varies by county and family size)
First-Time Buyer Status
Haven't owned a home in the past 3 years (some exceptions apply)
Primary Residence
Property must be your primary residence, not investment or vacation home
Completion of Education
Homebuyer education course required for most programs
Credit Requirements
Minimum credit scores typically 640+ (some programs accept lower)
Check Your Eligibility Now
Free Eligibility Check
Get instant results on program availability
Dream For All Income Limits: How to Qualify in 2026
Dream For All income limits are set by CalHFA and vary by county based on Area Median Income (AMI). Most counties cap eligibility at 150% of AMI, though specific thresholds change annually. Because CalHFA releases updated limits each program cycle, always verify current figures with a participating lender before assuming you qualify.
How Income Limits Work
CalHFA calculates Dream For All income limits as a percentage of your county's Area Median Income, adjusted for household size. The program typically uses 150% of AMI as the maximum threshold, meaning if your county's median income for a family of four is $100,000, the Dream For All limit would be around $150,000. High-cost counties like San Francisco or Los Angeles may have higher AMI baselines, which translates to higher income ceilings.
What counts as income: CalHFA includes gross household income from all borrowers on the loan—wages, salary, bonuses, self-employment income, retirement distributions, alimony, and other recurring sources. Pre-tax figures are used, and the calculation follows the same method lenders use for qualifying ratios.
Important: Dream For All funding is released in limited waves and has historically exhausted quickly when new rounds open. Even if you meet the income limits, availability depends on current program status. Contact me early to check whether funding is open and confirm your eligibility before applying.
2026 Dream For All Income Limits by County
These are the official CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan income limits, effective June 30, 2026. Your combined household income must not exceed the limit for the California county where you're purchasing.
| County | Income Limit | County | Income Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda | $257,000 | Orange | $219,000 |
| Alpine | $205,000 | Placer | $196,000 |
| Amador | $175,000 | Plumas | $153,000 |
| Butte | $153,000 | Riverside | $168,000 |
| Calaveras | $162,000 | Sacramento | $196,000 |
| Colusa | $153,000 | San Benito | $222,000 |
| Contra Costa | $257,000 | San Bernardino | $168,000 |
| Del Norte | $153,000 | San Diego | $207,000 |
| El Dorado | $196,000 | San Francisco | $310,000 |
| Fresno | $153,000 | San Joaquin | $171,000 |
| Glenn | $153,000 | San Luis Obispo | $205,000 |
| Humboldt | $153,000 | San Mateo | $310,000 |
| Imperial | $153,000 | Santa Barbara | $188,000 |
| Inyo | $153,000 | Santa Clara | $310,000 |
| Kern | $153,000 | Santa Cruz | $217,000 |
| Kings | $153,000 | Shasta | $161,000 |
| Lake | $153,000 | Sierra | $153,000 |
| Lassen | $153,000 | Siskiyou | $153,000 |
| Los Angeles | $171,000 | Solano | $197,000 |
| Madera | $153,000 | Sonoma | $211,000 |
| Marin | $310,000 | Stanislaus | $156,000 |
| Mariposa | $153,000 | Sutter | $161,000 |
| Mendocino | $156,000 | Tehama | $153,000 |
| Merced | $153,000 | Trinity | $153,000 |
| Modoc | $153,000 | Tulare | $153,000 |
| Mono | $190,000 | Tuolumne | $161,000 |
| Monterey | $175,000 | Ventura | $214,000 |
| Napa | $262,000 | Yolo | $215,000 |
| Nevada | $222,000 | Yuba | $161,000 |
Source: CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan 2026 Income Limits (PDF), effective 06.30.2026. Program mechanics per the CalHFA Dream For All FAQ.
Verify before applying: CalHFA can update these figures mid-program-year. I'll pull the latest table live when we run your pre-qualification so nothing is left to a stale reference.
Serving California Homebuyers
Licensed throughout California with expertise in Inland Empire down payment assistance programs
Riverside County
Corona, Murrieta, Temecula, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Palm Springs
San Bernardino County
Ontario, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Victorville
Orange County
Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in California?
You can receive up to $150,000 through the Dream For All program, up to $120,000 through CalHFA MyHome, plus additional local grants. Many buyers combine multiple programs for maximum assistance.
Do I have to pay back down payment assistance?
It depends on the program. CalHFA MyHome is 0% interest and only paid back when you sell, refinance, or pay off your loan. Dream For All is a shared appreciation loan. Some local grants are forgivable after 5-10 years.
Can I combine multiple down payment assistance programs?
Yes! Many buyers combine state programs like CalHFA with local city or county programs to maximize their assistance. We'll help you identify the best combination for your situation.
What credit score do I need for down payment assistance?
Most programs require a minimum 640 credit score, though some local programs accept scores as low as 580. The underlying mortgage loan will also have credit requirements that vary by loan type.
Are there income limits for California down payment assistance?
Yes, income limits vary by county and family size. For example, in Riverside County, a family of four can earn up to $147,200 for some programs and up to $191,550 for others. We'll check all available options.
Licensed & Trusted
Your mortgage professional with proven expertise
NMLS Licensed
Licensed in California
NMLS #2055084Equal Housing Opportunity
Committed to fair lending practices
EHOSecure Application
256-bit SSL encryption
SecureNMLS #2055084 | Equal Housing Opportunity | Licensed in California
The Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) was created by state regulatory authorities to provide consumers with easy access to important information about the licensing and backgrounds of licensed mortgage professionals.
Verify My License at NMLS Consumer AccessReady to Access Down Payment Assistance?
Don't let down payment be the barrier to homeownership. Get expert guidance on all available programs and maximize your assistance today.
Licensed Mortgage Lender | NMLS #2334646 | Equal Housing Opportunity
Aditya Choksi - Senior Loan Officer | aditya@21stcenturylending.com