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Get Matched Free →First-Time Home Buyer Programs in California (2026)
By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent
California's state homebuyer assistance comes from the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), which works only through approved lenders. MyHome is a deferred second of up to 3.5% of the price on FHA loans (3% on conventional), and can be stacked with ZIP (2% or 3% at zero interest for closing costs) or MyAccess (up to 2.5%). Dream For All, for first-generation buyers, lends up to 20% of the price (max $150,000) as a shared appreciation loan, through a once-a-year application round. CalHFA income limits run from $192,000 in Fresno County to $325,000 in Santa Clara County (2026).
Compare California Down Payment Assistance Programs
| Program | Max help | Who it’s for | Income cap | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CalHFA MyAccess ProgramDeferred Loan | Max help:Up to 2.5% of the CalPLUS Access first mortgage total loan amount, based on daily rate sheet pricing, for down payment and/or closing costs | Who it’s for:First-time buyers | Income cap:CalHFA county limits for reservations on or after June 30, 2026, for example Los Angeles $214,000, San Diego $259,000, Sacramento $245,000, Fresno $192,000, Santa Clara $325,000. | Credit:640 |
| CalHFA MyHome Assistance ProgramDeferred Loan | Max help:Up to 3.5% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value with CalHFA FHA and CalPLUS FHA; up to 3% with CalHFA Conventional, CalPLUS Conventional, CalHFA VA and CalHFA USDA | Who it’s for:First-time buyers | Income cap:CalHFA county limits for reservations on or after June 30, 2026, for example Los Angeles $214,000, San Diego $259,000, Sacramento $245,000, Fresno $192,000, Santa Clara $325,000. | Credit:640 |
| CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP)Zero-Interest Loan | Max help:2% or 3% of the CalPLUS first mortgage loan amount, based on daily rate sheet pricing, for closing costs only | Who it’s for:First-time buyers | Income cap:CalHFA county limits for reservations on or after June 30, 2026, for example Los Angeles $214,000, San Diego $259,000, Sacramento $245,000, Fresno $192,000, Santa Clara $325,000. | Credit:640 |
| California Dream For All Shared Appreciation LoanDeferred Loan | Max help:Up to 20% of the purchase price or appraised value, not to exceed $150,000, for down payment or closing costs | Who it’s for:First-time buyers | Income cap:Dream For All county limits for reservations on or after June 30, 2026, for example Los Angeles $171,000, San Diego $207,000, Sacramento $196,000, Fresno $153,000, Santa Clara $310,000. | Credit:680 |
First-Time Home Buyer Programs by City in California
Compare California cities
| City | county | Local programs | Largest local award | Median home | Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City: Los Angeles | County:Los Angeles County | Local programs:3 | Largest local award:$161,000 | Median home:$921,200 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: San Diego | County:San Diego County | Local programs:3 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$906,700 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: San Francisco | County:San Francisco County | Local programs:2 | Largest local award:$500,000 | Median home:$1,394,500 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Anaheim | County:Orange County | Local programs:2 | Largest local award:$50,000 | Median home:$831,200 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Chula Vista | County:San Diego County | Local programs:2 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$758,700 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Oakland | County:Alameda County | Local programs:2 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$929,900 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Santa Ana | County:Orange County | Local programs:2 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$713,000 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Bakersfield | County:Kern County | Local programs:1 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$371,700 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Fresno | County:Fresno County | Local programs:1 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$374,800 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Irvine | County:Orange County | Local programs:1 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$1,191,500 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Long Beach | County:Los Angeles County | Local programs:1 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$806,600 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Riverside | County:Riverside County | Local programs:1 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$584,800 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Sacramento | County:Sacramento County | Local programs:1 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$506,300 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: San Jose | County:Santa Clara County | Local programs:1 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$1,233,200 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
| City: Stockton | County:San Joaquin County | Local programs:1 | Largest local award:Varies | Median home:$440,900 | Reviewed:Oct 2026 |
Local programs are city, county and nonprofit help; every city also has the 4 statewide programs above. “Varies” means the local award depends on income or price.
Median home values in the 15 California cities above.
- San Francisco$1,394,500
- San Jose$1,233,200
- Irvine$1,191,500
- Oakland$929,900
- Los Angeles$921,200
- San Diego$906,700
- Anaheim$831,200
- Long Beach$806,600
- Chula Vista$758,700
- Santa Ana$713,000
- Riverside$584,800
- Sacramento$506,300
- Stockton$440,900
- Fresno$374,800
- Bakersfield$371,700
Median home values from each city guide. A home below the median can still qualify in a city where the median is above the cap.
All California City Guides by County
Local programs serve that city, county or metro. Statewide programs are open across California. Federal loans (FHA, VA, USDA) are not counted.