California Down Payment Assistance
Find out exactly what you qualify for — before you make an offer.
CalHFA offers several down payment and closing cost assistance programs to California buyers. Enter your county, income, and target price below to see which programs you likely qualify for and how much they could put toward your purchase.
The Programs
Four programs, one deferred second mortgage structure
CalHFA assistance is a silent, deferred junior loan — no monthly payment. The balance is repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage.
MyHome Assistance
Covers up to 3.5% of the purchase price toward your down payment (FHA) or up to 3% (conventional). Deferred, zero-interest option available, repaid at sale, refinance, or payoff.
CalHFA ZIP
Zero-interest closing cost assistance equal to 2–3% of your first mortgage amount. Pairs with MyHome or MyAccess to reduce the cash you need at closing.
MyAccess
A deferred second for conventional CalPLUS borrowers, covering up to 2.5% of the purchase price toward down payment or closing costs.
Dream For All
A shared appreciation loan for first-generation buyers. The program is closed with no new funding round announced. Ask us to add you to the notification list for the next opening.
Eligibility Estimator
See what you're likely to qualify for
This gives you a fast, directional estimate. Your loan officer will confirm exact figures based on the program's current income and sales price limits at the time of your application. County income limits below reflect CalHFA's 2026 income limits for all CalHFA first mortgages and subordinate mortgages (excluding Dream For All Shared Appreciation), effective 06/30/2026.
FHA down payment assistance, 3.5% of purchase price, deferred second.
FHA closing cost assistance, 3% of purchase price, zero-interest.
Conventional CalPLUS borrowers only.
This is an educational estimate only, not a pre-approval, credit decision, or commitment to lend. Actual eligibility depends on CalHFA's current income and sales price limits, debt-to-income ratio, credit, and loan program guidelines in effect at the time of reservation. Ricardo Hernandez NMLS #248859 · Logical Home Lending NMLS #2347117 · CA DRE #01527496 · Equal Housing Opportunity.
Talk to us about my resultsNext Steps
How we turn this estimate into a closing
Confirm your numbers
We verify your income against current CalHFA limits and run your full debt-to-income picture.
Complete homebuyer education
A short, one-time course required by CalHFA before your assistance can be reserved.
Reserve funds & get pre-approved
We lock in your assistance and issue a pre-approval letter you can use to make offers.