San Diego County · 2026 Program Year
First-time buyer programs in San Diego County
Every CalHFA, city, county, and federal first-time buyer program available in San Diego County for 2026 — what they pay, who qualifies, where to apply.
Income limit
~$172,800 for a 1–2 person household (CalHFA moderate-income, SD County 2026)
Sales-price cap
~$946,000 for existing SFR (CalHFA sales-price limit, SD County 2026)
Cities covered
San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Escondido, +1
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 Diego 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 San Diego 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 for first-time CA buyers.
Who qualifies
Income at/below CalHFA limit, 660+ FICO, buyer-education course.
Amount
Up to county conforming limit ($1,209,750 in San Diego County for 2026).
CalHFA Dream For All
20%-of-price shared-appreciation down payment assistance.
Who qualifies
First-generation buyer.
Amount
Up to 20% of purchase price.
San Diego Housing Commission First-Time Homebuyer Program
SDHC offers deferred-payment loans for first-time buyers within the City of San Diego.
Who qualifies
City of San Diego buyer, household income at or below 80% AMI.
Amount
Up to 22% of purchase price as deferred silent second.
San Diego County Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program (DCCA)
County program for first-time buyers anywhere in San Diego County outside SD city limits.
Who qualifies
County resident/employee, income at or below 80% AMI.
Amount
Up to $100,000 deferred silent second.
Chula Vista Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
Mortgage Credit Certificates let buyers convert up to 15% of annual mortgage interest into a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit.
Who qualifies
First-time buyer, county income limits.
Amount
Up to ~$2,000/yr federal tax credit.
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 Diego County in 2026, the moderate-income limit is approximately ~$172,800 for a 1–2 person household (CalHFA moderate-income, SD 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 San Diego County.
- Confirm sales-price cap. CalHFA's sales-price limit in San Diego County for 2026 is approximately ~$946,000 for existing SFR (CalHFA sales-price limit, SD County 2026). If the home is above this cap, CalHFA won't back it.
Key points for San Diego County
- San Diego County and City of San Diego have separate down-payment programs — confirm property jurisdiction.
- CalHFA sales-price cap (~$946,000) is lower in SD than LA — high-priced SD homes may not qualify.
- MCC programs stack with CalHFA — you can claim the federal tax credit annually for the life of the loan.
- Military and veteran buyers should also explore VA loans + CalVet (state veteran mortgage 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.