Get Down Payment Assistance

The California Housing Finance Agency was founded over 40 years ago and helps responsible borrowers, with good credit, purchase their first home by providing access to affordable first mortgages and down payment assistance. Even though CalHFA focuses on low to moderate income first-time homebuyers, it also has options for those who are already homeowners and looking to buy their next home.

CalHFA offers an array of mortgage financing and down payment assistance. The combined DPA programs can provide up to 7.5% of the purchase price, with a maximum CLTV of 105%.

CalHFA is not a type of loan; CalHFA is the State’s affordable housing bank and it offers programs through our network of approved lenders. CalHFA purchases FHA or Conventional firsts and down payment assistance loans from these CalHFA-approved lenders. CalHFA’s DPAs are approved by FHA and Fannie Mae as community seconds.

A CalHFA first mortgage generally has a turnaround time at CalHFA of 3-4 business days for compliance review.  CalHFA loans have straightforward paperwork, quick processing and dedicated customer service. Many of CalHFA’s preferred loan officers have closed CalHFA loans within 30 - 45 days.

There are no costs to the seller and with down payment and closing cost assistance, seller concessions may be reduced or even eliminated.