San Francisco Bay Area · 2026 Program Year
First-time buyer programs in San Francisco Bay Area
Every CalHFA, city, county, and federal first-time buyer program available in San Francisco Bay Area for 2026 — what they pay, who qualifies, where to apply.
Income limit
~$282,200 (San Francisco) / ~$257,200 (Santa Clara County) for 1–2 person — CalHFA moderate-income limits, 2026
Sales-price cap
~$1,029,000 for existing SFR / ~$1,179,000 for new construction (CalHFA, Bay Area counties 2026)
Cities covered
San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley, San Mateo, +3
If you've never owned a home — or haven't owned in the past three years — you're a first-time buyer in the eyes of California's assistance programs. San Francisco Bay Area buyers in 2026 have access to a stack of state, county, and city programs that, when combined, often eliminate the down-payment hurdle entirely.
This page lists every program currently active in San Francisco Bay Area for the 2026 program year, with eligibility rules, dollar amounts, and direct links to the official government pages.
Available programs
CalHFA Conventional First Mortgage
30-year fixed conventional loan for first-time California buyers. Income limits in the Bay Area are higher than other regions because area median income is higher.
Who qualifies
Income at or below CalHFA county limit, 660+ FICO, buyer-education course.
Amount
Loan amount up to county conforming limit ($1,209,750 in high-cost Bay Area counties for 2026).
CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation
20%-of-price down payment/closing assistance with state shared appreciation. Bay Area buyers regularly use this to bridge the down-payment gap on high-price homes.
Who qualifies
First-generation homebuyer, income under CalHFA Dream limit.
Amount
Up to 20% of purchase price.
MyHome Assistance Program
Deferred-payment junior loan of up to 3–3.5% of purchase price for down payment / closing costs.
Who qualifies
Pair with CalHFA first mortgage.
Amount
3% (conventional) or 3.5% (FHA) of purchase price.
San Francisco Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP)
San Francisco city program: up to $375,000 (and sometimes more for teachers, educators, and city employees) as a silent second for first-time SF buyers.
Who qualifies
SF resident, household income at or below 175% AMI (SF City).
Amount
Up to $375,000 — sometimes higher for teachers / city workers.
Oakland Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)
Oakland deferred-payment loan to help first-time buyers in Oakland purchase below-market and market-rate homes.
Who qualifies
Oakland resident or worker, income under 120% AMI, primary residence.
Amount
Up to $75,000 deferred silent second.
Below Market Rate (BMR) Programs
Many Bay Area cities (SF, San Jose, San Mateo, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino) operate inclusionary BMR programs where new developments must offer some units to qualified low/moderate-income buyers.
Who qualifies
Income limits vary by city (typically 80–120% AMI). Lottery-based.
Amount
Below-market sale price (often 30–50% below market).
How to apply, step by step
- Confirm first-time buyer status. You qualify if you haven't owned a principal residence in the past three years. Dream For All also requires first-generation status (no parent has owned in seven years, OR you were in foster care).
- Check income against CalHFA limits. For San Francisco Bay Area in 2026, the moderate-income limit is approximately ~$282,200 (San Francisco) / ~$257,200 (Santa Clara County) for 1–2 person — CalHFA moderate-income limits, 2026. Limits refresh annually — verify at calhfa.ca.gov/income-limits.
- Complete HUD-approved buyer education. An 8-hour homebuyer education course is required for nearly every program. eHome America is the standard online option (~$99, ~8 hours).
- Find a CalHFA-approved lender. Only CalHFA-approved lenders can originate the first mortgage. Search the directory at calhfa.ca.gov/homeownership/lenders.
- Stack assistance. Combine the CalHFA first mortgage with MyHome (3% closing assistance), Dream For All (20% down payment loan), and any local city/county program where you qualify. Stacking is what makes the math work in San Francisco Bay Area.
- Confirm sales-price cap. CalHFA's sales-price limit in San Francisco Bay Area for 2026 is approximately ~$1,029,000 for existing SFR / ~$1,179,000 for new construction (CalHFA, Bay Area counties 2026). If the home is above this cap, CalHFA won't back it.
Key points for San Francisco Bay Area
- Bay Area income limits are the highest in California — even high earners may qualify for moderate-income programs.
- SF's DALP is among the most generous city programs in the state — up to $375K silent second.
- BMR programs require lottery entry; check city housing portals quarterly.
- CalHFA Dream For All is particularly impactful in the Bay Area where down payments routinely exceed $200K.
Run the numbers
Once you know which programs you qualify for, plug your specific scenario into our affordability calculator and mortgage payment calculator. The Dream For All calculatormodels the shared-appreciation cost of the state's assistance loan over your hold period.