With the affordability index for California homes exceeding 70% - twenty percent higher than the National average, many Southern Californian's have a sense that they may never be able to afford a home in today's market.  Do not think this way!  There are tons of programs out there to assist the first time home buyer in Southern California. 

The State along with your local cities and counties provide a number of programs that can be daisy chained together to make home ownership affordable.  YOu just have to look for them and apply.  CALHFA, California Housing Finance Agency provides one avenue and they will allow you to have silent 2nds, 3rds and even 4ths (some of which are forgiven, so you don't have to pay them back) to reside behind their first mortgage.  Calhfa's 1st mortgages are below current market rate so youur payment is lower.  There is also the ACORN program that provides a below market mortgage without Mortgage insurance (so you can go over 80%). 

You can afford a home.  You just have to be willing to put in a bit of research and time and you will be a home owner in Southern California.  Why give your money to a landlord to pay their mortgage.  Why not be paying your own.