California · 2026
California first-time buyer programs
Pick your region — we list every CalHFA, federal, county, and city first-time buyer program available there in 2026, with eligibility and direct application links.
California · 2026
Los Angeles County
5 programs
Income cap: ~$169,400 for a 1–2 person household
California · 2026
San Francisco Bay Area
6 programs
Income cap: ~$282,200
California · 2026
San Diego County
5 programs
Income cap: ~$172,800 for a 1–2 person household
California · 2026
Orange County
4 programs
Income cap: ~$181,000 for a 1–2 person household
California · 2026
Sacramento Region
4 programs
Income cap: ~$132,000 for a 1–2 person household
California · 2026
Central Valley (Fresno, Bakersfield, Modesto)
5 programs
Income cap: ~$95,000–$110,000 for a 1–2 person household
California · 2026
Inland Empire (Riverside, San Bernardino)
5 programs
Income cap: ~$112,400 for a 1–2 person household
How California first-time buyer assistance works
California has the most-developed first-time buyer assistance stack of any state. The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) operates the primary state programs — a first mortgage backed by Fannie Mae or FHA, MyHome for closing costs, and Dream For All for down payment. Most counties and many cities layer their own deferred-loan programs on top.
A typical first-time buyer in California combines (a) a CalHFA first mortgage, (b) MyHome for 3% closing cost help, (c) Dream For All for up to 20% of the down payment, and (d) a city or county silent second where eligible. Stacking these is what makes the math work in expensive metros like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Each linked page below details every available program in that region — eligibility rules, dollar amounts, official sources, and how to stack them.
Run your specific numbers in our affordability calculator, Dream For All calculator, and mortgage payment calculator.