Down payment assistance in California
California's primary statewide down payment assistance program, run by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA). Numbers and eligibility reflect the program's published 2025 guidelines.
MyHome Assistance Program
Deferred loan- Maximum assistance
- Up to 3.5% (FHA) or 3% (Conventional) of sale price as a deferred junior loan
- Income limit
- Up to county-specific cap (e.g., ~$240,000 in Los Angeles County)
- Home price limit
- Up to county-specific cap
- First-time buyer
- Required
- Eligible loan types
- FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- •Junior loan accrues simple interest but is deferred - no monthly payment.
- •Repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.
- •Pairs with CalHFA Conventional or FHA first mortgages.
How California DPA fits into your purchase
Down payment assistance reduces the cash you need at the closing table. California's MyHome Assistance Program pairs with the standard FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage from a participating lender; the DPA flows through the same closing.
Two things to budget for: most state DPA requires a homebuyer-education course (typically online, 6-8 hours, ~$75) and you usually have to use a lender on the agency's approved list. The agency keeps the list public on its website.
Common questions
California's primary statewide DPA is MyHome Assistance Program from California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA). Up to 3.5% (FHA) or 3% (Conventional) of sale price as a deferred junior loan. Many California cities and counties also run additional DPA layered on top.
Yes. The MyHome Assistance Program requires that you have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. Veterans and target-area buyers are sometimes exempt.
Yes. MyHome Assistance Program works with these loan types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional. The DPA is layered behind your first mortgage as a separate lien (or grant), and both close together.
Usually no. Deferred and forgivable loans typically have no monthly payment, so most lenders do not include them in your DTI calculation.
Deferred and second-mortgage DPAs are generally repaid in full when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.