Los Angeles County · 2026 Program Year
First-time buyer programs in Los Angeles County
Every CalHFA, city, county, and federal first-time buyer program available in Los Angeles County for 2026 — what they pay, who qualifies, where to apply.
Income limit
~$169,400 for a 1–2 person household (CalHFA moderate-income, LA County 2026)
Sales-price cap
~$1,029,000 for an existing single-family home (CalHFA sales-price limit, LA County 2026)
Cities covered
Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, +2
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. Los Angeles County 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 Los Angeles County 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 paired with CalHFA assistance products. Available to first-time buyers (and some non-first-time buyers in targeted areas).
Who qualifies
Income at or below CalHFA limit (~$169,400 in LA County for 1–2 person), buyer-education course required, 660+ FICO typical.
Amount
Loan amount up to county conforming limit ($1,209,750 in LA County for 2026).
CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation
Down-payment / closing-cost assistance loan of up to 20% of the purchase price, with the state taking a 15–20% share of future appreciation in exchange.
Who qualifies
First-generation homebuyer (no parent has owned in last 7 years OR you were in foster care). Income under CalHFA Dream limit.
Amount
Up to 20% of purchase price as silent second; repayment + appreciation share due on sale/refi.
MyHome Assistance Program
Deferred-payment junior loan of up to 3% (conventional) or 3.5% (FHA) of the purchase price for down payment / closing costs.
Who qualifies
Must pair with CalHFA first mortgage. Income limits per CalHFA.
Amount
Up to 3–3.5% of purchase price.
LA County Affordable Homeownership Program (LACDA)
County-administered down-payment assistance and below-market resales for households up to 120% of area median income.
Who qualifies
LA County resident or employee, first-time homebuyer, income at or below 120% AMI.
Amount
Varies by program; deferred loans typically $85,000–$140,000.
City of LA Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA)
City of LA program providing up to $140,000 in deferred-payment, silent-second assistance for low-income first-time buyers within LA city limits.
Who qualifies
Income at or below 80% AMI (LA City), buyer-education completion, primary residence.
Amount
Up to $140,000 deferred silent second.
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 Los Angeles County in 2026, the moderate-income limit is approximately ~$169,400 for a 1–2 person household (CalHFA moderate-income, LA County 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 Los Angeles County.
- Confirm sales-price cap. CalHFA's sales-price limit in Los Angeles County for 2026 is approximately ~$1,029,000 for an existing single-family home (CalHFA sales-price limit, LA County 2026). If the home is above this cap, CalHFA won't back it.
Key points for Los Angeles County
- LA County buyers can stack CalHFA first mortgage + MyHome + Dream For All for layered assistance.
- LA City and LA County have separate programs — confirm which jurisdiction the property is in before applying.
- The 2026 LA County CalHFA sales-price cap (~$1,029,000) is one of the highest in the state, reflecting LA prices.
- Buyer-education completion (HUD-approved 8-hour course) is required for nearly every California first-time buyer program.
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.