Santa Ana Downpayment Assistance Program
Financial Assistance for Homebuyers in California
Available Assistance
Santa Ana’s Downpayment Assistance Loan Program provides eligible applicants up to $40,000 to be put toward the down payment on their new home. These funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, in the form of a zero-interest loan. These assistance funds for properties being purchased that will be owner-occupied.
Eligibility Requirements
There are certain requirements that must be met to qualify for the program. Only first-time homebuyers are considered eligible for Santa Ana’s Downpayment Assistance Loan Program, which means that anyone who has owned a home in the last three years cannot qualify for assistance. They must be pre-qualified for a first mortgage, and have an acceptable credit history. An applicant’s household annual income must fall at or below 80 percent of area median income, as published annually by HUD (Limits shown below).
Homebuyer Education
Applicants are also required to complete the Homebuyer Counseling Program and must be able to contribute at least 3 percent of the down payment from their own cash assets.
Property Guidelines
Any home being purchased must be located in Santa Ana, and cannot exceed the program’s maximum purchase price of $499,000 for a new or existing home/condo.
Income Limits
Household income is defined as all income received by household members (18 years or older) who will be living in the home, even if they are not on the mortgage.
1 person household: $54,600
2 person household: $62,400
3 person household: $70,200
4 person household: $78,000
5 person household: $84,250
6 person household: $90,500
7 person household: $96,750
8 person household: $103,000
(Note: These figures were accurate at the time of publication and may no longer be current - visit the program website for updated information.)

Down payment 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.
Down Payment Grants in California
Brentwood Down Payment Assistance Program
The City of Brentwood offers first-time homebuyers the Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP), which provides funds that go toward the down payment and/or closing costs. Assistance comes in the form of a deferred payment loan program for first-time homebuyers.
CalHFA My Home Assistance Program
The CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program offers applicants a deferred-payment junior loan up to 3% of the purchase price/appraised value of the mortgaged property in order to help make the down payment or pay the closing costs.
Emeryville First Time Homebuyer Loan Program
The First Time Homebuyer Loan Program that was established by the City of Emeryville provides down payment assistance to households at or below moderate income. This initiative gets individuals out of the renter’s trap by helping them to pay the heavy, upfront costs of purchasing a home.
GSFA Platinum Program
The California Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) created the Platinum Program, which provides low-to-moderate income California homebuyers with down payment and/or closing cost assistance to help them achieve their goals of purchasing a home.
Los Angeles County Affordable Homeownership Program
The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) provides low- and moderate- income households with down payment assistance via the Affordable Homeownership Program.
Monterey County Down Payment Assistance Program
The FTHB Program provides down payment assistance in the form of a loan, the maximum amount of which may not exceed the lesser of the maximum HOME subsidy limit, 20 percent of the purchase price, or the amount needed as determined by underwriting criteria. The maximum loan amount will never exceed the amount of the primary loan.
Orange County Housing and Development Mortgage Assistance Program
The Orange County Housing and Development Mortgage Assistance Program provides down payment assistance loans to assist low-income first-time homebuyers.
San Diego County Down Payment / CalHome Program
The San Diego County Down Payment / CalHome Program provides applicants up to 17 percent of the total property price for down payment assistance, and 4 percent (up to $10,000) in closing costs assistance. These funds come in the form of a loan with 3 percent simple interest per year, accrued annually.
Santa Ana Downpayment Assistance Program
Santa Ana’s Downpayment Assistance Loan Program provides eligible applicants up to $40,000 to be put toward the down payment on their new home. These funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, in the form of a zero-interest loan.

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