San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) First-Time Homebuyer Program
Available Assistance
With the SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Program, low-income applicants may qualify for a low-interest, deferred-payment loan. They may receive up to 17% of the purchase price for the down payment assistance and 4%, up to $10,000 for closing costs assistance. Repayments for this loan are not due until the borrower refinances, sells, pays off the first mortgage, or no longer occupies the property as their primary residence. Loan repayment must be made in one payment that equals the original principal loan amount plus any accrued interest.
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants must be first-time homebuyers who have not owned a home in the previous three years. Their annual household income must fall at or under 80% of the San Diego County area median income. Applicants are also required to contribute at least 3% of the purchase price from their own funds.
Property Guidelines
Any home purchased with funds from the SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Program must be the borrower’s primary residence. The purchase price must fall under $485,000 for attached homes, or $622,250 for detached homes. Eligible property types include new or resale single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, or a manufactured homes on a permanent foundation. The property must be located in an unincorporated area of San Diego County or in the city of Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, or Vista.
*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
City of Oakland First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)
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.
Fremont First-Time Homebuyer Program BMP Homes
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.
Fresno County's First-Time Homebuyer Program
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.
City of Norwalk First Time Home Buyer Program
The City of Norwalk's First Time Home Buyer program helps low-income families the opportunity to affordably purchase their first home.
County of San Diego’s First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program
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.
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) First-Time Homebuyer 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.
Los Angeles First-Time Home Mortgage Program
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.
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.
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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