Low Income Home Buying Assistance California May 2026

Unlike traditional loans, some programs offer funds that do not need to be repaid if certain residency requirements are met.

To access these programs, you generally must meet the following criteria:

: Offered by the Golden State Finance Authority , this provides grants or forgivable loans up to 5% of the loan amount. These are often forgiven after just three years of residency.

: Limits vary by county; for example, limits can be as low as $83,000 in rural areas or over $300,000 in San Francisco.

: The San Diego Housing Commission provides deferred-payment loans up to 22% of the purchase price for low-income buyers.

Many of California's largest cities and counties operate their own "Low Income Purchase Assistance" (LIPA) programs to supplement state aid.

AI responses may include mistakes. For financial advice, consult a professional. Learn more Helping Low-Income, First-Time Homebuyers - LAHD

: Defined as not owning a home in the last three years.