CalHFA Loan Programs · Updated July 2026
Five ways California helps you buy. Here's how they compare.
CalHFA isn't one program — it's a toolkit. A first mortgage, a down payment loan, a closing-cost loan, and (for a lucky few) a 20% shared appreciation boost. This page puts them side by side so you can see how San Diego buyers actually combine them in 2026.
MyHome Assistance
A deferred "silent second" loan of up to 3.5% of your purchase price for down payment or closing costs. No monthly payment — you repay when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home.
How MyHome worksDream For All
Up to 20% of the purchase price as a shared appreciation loan for first-generation, first-time buyers. Powerful, but voucher rounds are scarce — and 2026 is expected to be the final year.
Dream For All detailsCalHFA FHA Loan
A 30-year fixed FHA first mortgage with 3.5% down — which MyHome can cover entirely. Credit requirements are the most forgiving, generally mid-600s.
Explore CalHFA FHACalHFA Conventional
A 30-year fixed conventional first mortgage with just 3% down and private mortgage insurance you can remove once you reach 20% equity — unlike FHA.
Explore CalHFA ConventionalCalPLUS + ZIP
The Zero Interest Program adds a 0% deferred loan of roughly 2–3% of your first loan amount for closing costs. Per CalHFA Bulletin 2025-04, ZIP now pairs with MyHome.
See how ZIP stacks2026 Income Limits
Every CalHFA program has a county income cap — $259,000 in San Diego County for 2026. Higher than most people expect. Check yours before ruling yourself out.
See 2026 limitsEvery CalHFA program, one table
Here's the master comparison. The first two rows are assistance programs that ride along with your mortgage; the last two rows are the CalHFA first mortgages they attach to.
| Program | What you get | Repayment | Availability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyHome | Up to 3.5% of purchase price (FHA) or 3% (conventional) for down payment/closing costs | Deferred — no monthly payment; simple interest accrues; due at sale, refinance or payoff | Continuously funded | Most first-time buyers |
| CalPLUS + ZIP | 0% interest loan of roughly 2–3% of the first loan amount for closing costs | Deferred at 0% interest; due at sale, refinance or payoff | Continuously funded; must pair with MyHome | Buyers short on closing-cost cash |
| Dream For All | Up to 20% of purchase price as a shared appreciation loan | Principal plus a share of your home's appreciation, at sale or refinance | Limited voucher rounds; 2026 portal closed March 16; wind-down expected by end of 2026 | First-generation buyers who secure a voucher |
| CalHFA FHA | 30-year fixed first mortgage, 3.5% minimum down | Normal monthly mortgage payment | Ongoing | Mid-600s credit, thinner savings |
| CalHFA Conventional | 30-year fixed first mortgage, 3% minimum down, removable PMI | Normal monthly mortgage payment | Ongoing | Stronger credit scores |
All programs require income under the CalHFA county limit — $259,000 in San Diego County for 2026 — a first-time buyer (no ownership in the last 3 years), owner occupancy, and a homebuyer education certificate. Dream For All adds a first-generation requirement and uses lower income limits.
How the programs stack: a $700,000 Chula Vista example
The real magic isn't any single program — it's the stack. Say you're buying a $700,000 townhome in Chula Vista with a CalHFA FHA first mortgage. Here's how the layers land:
| Layer | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| CalHFA FHA first mortgage | ≈ $675,500 | The home itself — 30-year fixed, normal monthly payment |
| MyHome @ 3.5% | $24,500 | The entire FHA minimum down payment — no monthly payment on this |
| ZIP @ 2–3% of first loan | ≈ $13,500–$20,300 | Closing costs — 0% interest, no monthly payment |
Between MyHome and ZIP, that's roughly $38,000 to $44,800 of deferred assistance on a single purchase. Your remaining out-of-pocket typically shrinks to earnest money, inspection and appraisal fees, and any prepaid items the assistance doesn't reach — often a few thousand dollars instead of forty-plus. Run your own scenario with our calculators, or see the full walkthrough on the MyHome page.
Why the stack matters in San Diego
Saving $40,000+ while paying San Diego rent takes most households years — and prices rarely wait. Stacking CalHFA layers compresses those years into a single escrow. That's the entire point of these programs.
Which door should you walk through first?
- You have decent credit and modest savings: start with CalHFA FHA + MyHome. It's the widest door — mid-600s credit, and MyHome covers the full 3.5% down.
- You have strong credit (roughly 700+): compare CalHFA conventional + MyHome. PMI is removable at 20% equity, which FHA insurance generally isn't.
- You're a first-generation buyer: check Dream For All status — but don't wait on it. Voucher rounds are scarce and the program is expected to wind down by the end of 2026.
- You're closing-cost constrained: ask about CalPLUS with ZIP on top of MyHome.
- Not sure? That's the normal case. A 10-minute eligibility check sorts it.
CalHFA programs FAQ
Can I combine CalHFA programs like MyHome and ZIP?
Yes — stacking is the whole design. A CalHFA first mortgage (FHA or conventional) pairs with MyHome for the down payment, and a CalPLUS first mortgage adds the ZIP zero-interest loan for closing costs. Per CalHFA Bulletin 2025-04, ZIP must now be used together with MyHome.
Which CalHFA program is best for a first-time buyer in San Diego?
For most buyers, the reliable path is a CalHFA FHA or conventional first mortgage paired with MyHome — it's continuously funded and available right now. Dream For All offers more assistance (up to 20%) but is limited to first-generation buyers who secure a voucher in scarce lottery rounds. A quick eligibility review tells you which fits your credit, income and timeline.
Do all CalHFA programs have income limits?
Yes. For 2026, the standard CalHFA limit is $259,000 in San Diego County and $210,000 in Riverside County; other counties vary. Dream For All uses lower limits — $207,000 in San Diego and $164,000 in Riverside for 2026.
Is Dream For All still available in 2026?
The 2026 application portal closed on March 16, 2026, and vouchers were released starting May 20, 2026. Roughly $300 million was added in the 2025–26 state budget, but the program is expected to wind down by the end of 2026. If you don't hold a voucher, MyHome is the dependable alternative available today.
Program details summarized from calhfa.ca.gov as of July 2026. CalHFA sets and may change all program terms; this page is educational and not a loan commitment.
Stop comparing. Start qualifying.
Answer a few questions and get a personalized CalHFA game plan — which first mortgage, which assistance layers, and what your out-of-pocket really looks like.