I’m Michael DiVita — DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655, DiVita Home Finance (DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700), Tiburon, CA. I’ve been in California mortgage lending since 2000 and founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007. Call (800) 239-1103.
California has more down payment assistance programs than any other state — but most buyers don’t know they exist, or assume they won’t qualify. This guide covers every active program in 2026, what each provides, who qualifies, and how to stack them for maximum benefit.
Overview: How Much Help Is Available?
| Program | Max Assistance | Type | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalHFA Dream For All | 20% / up to $150,000 | Shared appreciation loan | Lottery rounds only |
| CalHFA MyHome Assistance | 3.5% of purchase price | Deferred junior loan | Year-round |
| CalHFA School Teacher & Employee | Up to $10,000 | Deferred junior loan | Year-round (school districts) |
| GSFA Platinum | Up to 5% of loan amount | Grant (no repayment) | Year-round |
| GSFA OpenDoors | Up to 7% of loan amount | Grant | Year-round (FHA/VA/USDA) |
| Local city/county programs | $10,000–$100,000+ | Deferred loans or grants | Varies by city |
| VA Loan (veterans) | 100% financing | Zero down loan | Ongoing |
| USDA Rural Housing | 100% financing | Zero down loan | Ongoing (rural areas) |
CalHFA Programs
1. CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan
What it provides: Up to 20% of the purchase price (capped at $150,000) as a zero-interest, deferred second mortgage. No monthly payment. You repay the original amount plus a share of appreciation when you sell or refinance.
Best for: First-time buyers who need a large down payment and are comfortable with shared appreciation — particularly in markets where home values are expected to continue rising.
The catch: It’s lottery-based. In 2024, there were 180,000+ registrations for about 6,500 vouchers. You must be pre-approved with a CalHFA lender before the lottery opens. Learn more about Dream For All.
2. CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program
What it provides: A deferred junior loan of up to 3.5% of the purchase price to cover the down payment or closing costs. No monthly payment; repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. No appreciation sharing.
Example: On a $650,000 home, MyHome provides $22,750 — enough to fully fund the 3.5% FHA down payment.
3. CalHFA School Teacher and Employee Assistance Program
What it provides: Up to $10,000 as a deferred silent second mortgage for K-12 public school teachers, administrators, and classified employees working in California. Can be stacked with MyHome for combined assistance.
GSFA Programs
The Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) runs two major grant programs — unlike CalHFA loans, these are true grants that never need to be repaid.
4. GSFA Platinum Program
What it provides: A grant of up to 5% of the loan amount to cover the down payment and/or closing costs on a conventional or FHA loan. No repayment required — ever. Available to both first-time and repeat buyers.
Example: On a $600,000 home with a $570,000 loan, GSFA Platinum can provide up to $28,500 — more than enough to cover the 5% down payment on a conventional loan.
5. GSFA OpenDoors Program
What it provides: A grant of up to 7% of the loan amount, available on FHA, VA, and USDA loans. The 7% can cover the FHA 3.5% minimum down payment and most or all closing costs.
City and County Programs
| Jurisdiction | Program | Max Assistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (city) | LIPA / MIPA | Up to $85,000 | Deferred loan; income limits; must be in LA city limits |
| San Francisco | DALP | Up to $375,000 | Very competitive; shared appreciation; lottery |
| Oakland | Housing Assistance Program | Up to $75,000 | Deferred loan; low-to-moderate income |
| San Jose | Homebuyer Assistance Program | Up to $50,000 | Deferred loan; income limits |
| San Diego (city) | Pathway to Homeownership | Up to $60,000 | Lottery-based; deferred loan |
| Sacramento | Homebuyer Assistance | Up to $20,000 | Deferred loan; income limits |
City programs open and close frequently based on funding availability. Verify current status with a local lender before counting on any specific program.
How to Stack Programs for Maximum Benefit
Stack 1 — FHA + MyHome + GSFA OpenDoors: CalHFA FHA first mortgage + MyHome (3.5% deferred) covers the down payment. GSFA OpenDoors (up to 7%) covers closing costs. Result: you could potentially close on a home with zero or near-zero out of pocket.
Stack 2 — Conventional + GSFA Platinum: GSFA Platinum provides a 5% grant, covering the entire 5% conventional down payment with no repayment obligation. Simpler than CalHFA; available to repeat buyers.
Stack 3 — Dream For All + CalHFA Conventional: Dream For All provides 20%, eliminating PMI entirely. Your monthly payment is lower, qualification is easier, and you build equity from day one.
Stack 4 — City DPA + CalHFA MyHome: A San Jose buyer might combine MyHome ($22,750 on a $650K home) with San Jose’s Homebuyer Assistance ($50,000) for a total of $72,750 toward down payment and closing costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best down payment assistance program in California in 2026?
For maximum assistance, the CalHFA Dream For All is unmatched — up to $150,000 with no monthly payment. But it’s lottery-based. For reliable, year-round access, GSFA Platinum (grant up to 5%) is often the best choice for conventional loans, and CalHFA MyHome is the standard fallback for CalHFA borrowers. The “best” program depends on your loan type, income, and whether you can wait for a lottery round.
Can I get down payment assistance in California if I’ve owned a home before?
Yes. GSFA Platinum and OpenDoors are available to both first-time and repeat buyers. VA loans have no first-time buyer requirement. City and county programs vary — some are first-time buyer only, others are not. CalHFA programs (MyHome, Dream For All) require first-time buyer status (no ownership in the past 3 years).
Do down payment assistance programs affect my mortgage rate?
Sometimes slightly. CalHFA first mortgage rates are set by the state and may be 0.25–0.5% higher than market in some environments. GSFA grants are paired with market-rate mortgages from approved lenders. In most cases, the benefit of the grant far outweighs any rate difference. A good lender will model both scenarios for you.
How long does it take to get approved for California down payment assistance?
CalHFA pre-approval takes the same time as a standard mortgage pre-approval — typically 1–3 business days. The CalHFA loan itself adds some additional documentation and processing time at closing (typically 3–5 extra business days). Plan for a 35–45 day escrow when using CalHFA programs. GSFA grant processing is integrated into the standard loan timeline.
Find Out What You Qualify For
Down payment assistance eligibility depends on your income, credit score, purchase price, and county. DiVita Home Finance is a CalHFA-approved lender and GSFA participant serving buyers across the East Bay, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Marin County, and all of California. Call (800) 239-1103 or apply online.
Talk to Michael Directly
DiVita Home Finance | Tiburon, CA | In lending since 2000, founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007. Michael DiVita DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655. Company DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700.
💬 Text: (310) 849-9124
