The Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program helps first-time, moderate income homebuyers purchase homes by providing loans to cover the down payment, acquisition, and closing costs.

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Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program

The Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program helps first-time, moderate income homebuyers purchase homes by providing loans to cover the down payment, acquisition, and closing costs. 

Available Assistance 
We provide a loan of up to $60,000 for down payment, closing costs, and acquisition.  Up to $60,000 will be available for homebuyers earning between 81-120% Area Median Income (AMI) and up to $35,000 will be available for homebuyers earning between 121%-150% AMI. 

Eligibility Requirements 
To qualify for the Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program, applicants must be first-time homebuyers who have not had an ownership interest in any real property at any time during the last three years. They must be U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, or other qualified aliens whose total household income of all of the adults (18 years of age or older who will be living in the home) is at or below the program’s income limits (shown below). All applicants must attend an 8-hour, in-person Homebuyer Education Class by an approved provider, and contribute a minimum of 1% of the sale price from their own funds as down payment. Additionally, they must occupy the new home as their principal residence. 

Income Limits 
Moderate income (81%-120% AMI) 
1-person household: $65,251 - $99,300 
2-person household: $75,701 – $113,450 
3-person household: $85,151 – $127,900 
4-person household: $94,601 – $141,850 
5-person household: $102,201 – $153,200 
6-person household: $109,751 – $164,550 
7-person household: $117,351 – $175,900 
8-person household: $124,901 - $187,250 


*Seller-funded down payment programs were eliminated in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, but states and local government agencies are still permitted to help borrowers finance their homes with second mortgages and grants. These agencies set different requirements that a borrower needs to meet in order to qualify for the grant programs, such as property location, and purchase price, and income limits.       

Note: All figures mentioned above were accurate at the time of publication and may no longer be current. Visit the program website for updated information.     

First-Time Homebuyer Programs in California

The City of Oakland offers low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers the Mortgage Assistance Program. Program applicants receive assistance funds in order to help offset the costs of purchasing a new home.

The City of Fremont offers first-time homebuyers assistance with its Below Market Price Homes program to help residents afford and purchase their first-home.

California’s Fresno County offers the 1st Time Homebuyer Program in an effort to help eligible low- and moderate-income families purchase their first home in the unincorporated area and partner cities.

The City of Norwalk's First Time Home Buyer program helps low-income families the opportunity to affordably purchase their first home.

In order to help low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers, the San Diego Housing Commission administered the County of San Diego's First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program.

The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) First-Time Homebuyer Program can assist eligible buyers with the purchase of single-family homes, townhomes, or condominiums.

Under the First Home Mortgage Program, applicants can receive up to 4 percent of the total first mortgage amount to be put toward paying the down payment and closing cost assistance. This assistance comes in the form of a grant, which has no repayment terms.

The Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program helps first-time, moderate income homebuyers purchase homes by providing loans to cover the down payment, acquisition, and closing costs.

First-time homebuyer assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at FHA.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property.

FHA.com's compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program.

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