Assistance program · California
Closed, per the source
California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan
CalHFA down payment loan for first-generation buyers in California; when you sell, you repay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation
At a glance
- Amount it offered
- Offered up to 20% of the price, capped at $150,000
- What its page said while it took applications; not an offer today.
- Kind of help
- Shared appreciation
- Shared appreciation loan
- First-time buyer?
- Yes
- First-time buyers only
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
- Against the program's official page.
Type of help
What it is
- Shared appreciation loan
What it gives
Closed, per the source
Offered up to 20% of the price, capped at $150,000
Source text
Offers up to 20% for down payment or closing costs, not to exceed $150,000. A summary of what the program publishes; not a loan offer or advice. Amounts, limits and funding change without notice.
At a glance
Who qualifies
Each answer comes from the program's page. "Not stated — ask" means its page doesn't make it clear: ask before you apply.
Source text
One borrower must be a first-generation homebuyer. One borrower must be current resident of California. All borrowers must be first-time homebuyers. Combined household income must meet CalHFA Income Limits for the county you are purchasing in. A randomized drawing will select registrants who will receive the voucher. The application period for the opportunity to receive a DFA loan voucher is now CLOSED. - First-time buyers only Yes
- Homebuyer course required Not stated — ask
- Minimum credit score Not stated — ask
- Income limit Per the program table (by county and household size)
- Price limit Per the program table
- Mortgages it works with Conventional
- Immigration requirement Citizenship or qualified-alien status, per the source
- Accepts ITIN? No
- Spanish materials Yes
- Program status Closed, per the source
- Where it applies All of California
What its page says about being open
The application period for the opportunity to receive a DFA loan voucher is now CLOSED. … The portal closed on March 16, 2026 and no new applications can be started. Read on the official page on November 5, 2026. calhfa.ca.gov
Your area in numbers
What buying costs in California
The program covers all of California. The first column is California's figure; the second runs from the lowest to the highest among its counties. Limits change by county: check yours.
The program sets its maximum price in a table. Compare it with the typical home value in California: $734,700.
The typical home value ($734,700) is higher than California's FHA limit ($546,250). An FHA loan cannot go above that limit.
The program sets its income limit in its own table. For reference, HUD's low-income limit for 4 people in California is $86,500.
| Figure | California | Lowest to highest | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $734,700 | $224,700 (Modoc County) to $1,559,600 (San Mateo County) | U.S. Census Bureau |
| FHA limit (one-unit home) | $546,250 | $541,287 (Amador County) to $1,249,125 (Santa Cruz County) | HUD |
| Conforming limit (one-unit home) | $832,750 | $832,750 (Alpine County) to $1,249,125 (Santa Cruz County) | FHFA |
| HUD low income (80%), household of 4 | $86,500 | $77,700 (Butte County) to $174,550 (Santa Cruz County) | HUD |
Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024) · FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data) · Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data) · Income Limits (HUD) (Fiscal year 2026)
Step by step
How to use it, step by step
Each step comes from what the program's page says. What its page leaves out is further down, in the questions.
Find a participating lender-
Look at another program
Its page says it closed. The state's other programs are in the table further down.
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Confirm you count as a first-time buyer
The program requires it. Read on its page how it defines "first-time buyer" and whether there are exceptions.
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Find your county in the income table
The limit changes with the county and the number of people in your household. Count the income of everyone the program asks you to add.
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Check your county's maximum price
The program sets a maximum price per county in its table.
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Pick a mortgage it works with
According to its page, the help is used together with a Conventional loan. Each loan type has its own requirements.
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Find a participating lender: state programs do not take applications directly; the lender reserves the assistance while processing your mortgage.
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Compare the total cost before you sign
Ask about the total cost. The mortgage with assistance may carry a higher rate than without it, and some programs charge for the course or a fee.
Before you call
What to ask
Its page leaves 2 points unclear. Write them down for when you talk to California Housing Finance Agency.
What its page does not say
- Do you require a homebuyer course? Which ones do you accept, and what do they cost?
- What minimum credit score do you require?
Worth asking for this kind of help
- What share of the gain would I have to give back when I sell?
Against the others
How it compares with California's other programs
The 5 programs we checked in California, with the same fields from their official pages. "Doesn't say" means its page does not make it clear.
It is one of 5 programs in California, out of 5, that require being a first-time buyer. It is one of 3 out of 5 that publish an amount with the figure in their own wording. One other program in the state also gives "shared appreciation" help: Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) Program. It covers the whole state; one program on the list is only for a city or a county.
Swipe the table to see every column.
| Program | Kind of help | Published amount | First-time buyers only | Course required | Accepts ITIN | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loanthis programClosed, per the source | Shared appreciation | Offered up to 20% of the price, capped at $150,000 | Yes | Doesn't say | No | Statewide |
| MyHome Assistance Program | Deferred | Up to 3.5% of the price | Yes | Yes | No | Statewide |
| MyAccess Program | Deferred | Not published | Yes | Yes | No | Statewide |
| CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP) | Deferred | Not published | Yes | Yes | No | Statewide |
| Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) ProgramLimited funds remain, per the source | Deferred · Shared appreciation | Up to $161,000 | Yes | Yes | No | Los Angeles, Los Angeles County |
Sources
How we checked this program
We read the program's official pages on November 5, 2026 and copied their text as it appears on them. We add no amounts or requirements those pages do not state, and a program is listed as open or closed only when its page says so.
We check every program again. If more than 180 days pass without a check, the page says so.
Get free help applying
A HUD-approved housing counselor explains the program's requirements, goes over your numbers and tells you what to ask the lender. They do not sell loans.
Find a counselor (HUD)Read before you apply
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Help and programs
Down payment assistance: how it works
What down payment assistance is, the types that exist (grant, forgivable or deferred second loan, tax credit), who qualifies and where to find it.
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Mortgage loans
Conventional loan: 3% down, PMI and credit scores
How a conventional loan works: HomeReady and Home Possible from 3% down, the credit score Fannie Mae requires, PMI and when the law ends it.
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Help and programs
HUD housing counselors: what they do and what they cost
What a HUD-approved housing counselor does, what they help with (buying, renting, missed payments, credit), what they may charge and how to find one.
Your county
Price and income limits depend on the county. Your county page has the typical value, the FHA limit and the counseling agencies that can walk you through the application.