Down Payment Assistance offered by California cities

Down payment assistance

Back when we had our Spring Update Meeting in our office, one of the topics that came up was down payment assistance programs. One agent in our office worked with a client who was able to buy a home in Anaheim with the assistance of a whole list of city government programs that added up to make it happen. 

The truth is, the government WANTS you to own a home. It's good for society, it's good for the overall economy. And, of course, the cities rely upon property taxes in order to function. So it's in the cities' best interest to help people buy in their areas. Keeping up local home prices and bringing new people on at those current prices is something the cities have every reason to want.

SO, all that in mind (along with all the noble reasons for wanting to help people buy homes, which I'm sure I need not bore you with here), they create programs that help make it easier for people (especially first-time home buyers) to buy homes in their area.  Not every city has a program, some cities either cannot afford or do not want/need to offer such programs.  However, an initial web search yielded this helpful list of phone numbers:

Cities in California with Down Payment Assistance Programs:

Alameda Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP)
$10,000 (510) 749-5824

Anaheim Home Program (HOME)
$35,000 (714) 765-4340

Anaheim Police Residence Assistance Program (PRAP)
$20,000 (714) 765-4340

Anaheim Second Mortgage Assistance Program (SMAP)
$25,000 (714) 765-4340

Brentwood Police Officer Recruitment Incentive Program (BPOAP)
$28,500 (925) 516-5195

California Gold Taxable MRB Second Mortgage Loan Program (SML)
$25,000 (916) 444-2615

California School Facility Fee Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA)
$25,000 (916) 322-1353

Culver City Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)
$60,000 (310) 253-5780

El Monte Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP)
Max 22% (626) 580-2070

Grand Terrace Affordable Housing Program (AHP)
$25,000 (909) 825-3825

Hawthorne First Time Homebuyer Program (FTHP)
$80,000 (310) 970-7086

Hemet First Time Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP)
$25,000 (909) 765-2388

Hesperia First Time Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP)
$20,000 (760) 947-1910

Imperial First Time Home Buyer Program (FTHB)
$20,000 (760) 355-4373

La Quinta Home Purchase Program (HPP)
$85,000 (714) 541-4585

Long Beach Housing Development Company Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP)
$10,000 (562) 570-6949

Los Angeles County Home Ownership Program (HOP)
$60,000 (213) 890-7248

Los Angeles County Montebello Housing Development Corporation Calhome FTHB Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)
$30,000 (323) 722-3955

National City First-Time Homebuyer Program (FTHP)
$17,000 (619) 336-4250

Norco First Time Homebuyer Program (FTHB)
$22,500 (909) 270-5645

Oxnard Historical Enhancement & Revitalization of Oxnard (HERO)
$5,000 (805) 385-7400

Oxnard Resale Housing Conditional Matching Grant Program (GRANT)
$10,000 (805) 385-7400

Palmdale Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)
$10,000 (661) 267-5126

Pasadena Homeownership Opportunities Program (HOP)
$60,000 (626) 744-8316

Pasadena Neighborhood Housing Services Inc CalHome First Time Homebuyer Program (FTHP)
$30,000 (626) 744-4141

Paso Robles CalHome Program (CalHome)
$90,000 (805) 237-3970

Pomona Calhome First Time Home Buyer Program (FTHB)
$30,000 (909) 620-3630

Rancho Cucamonga First Time Homebuyer Program
$16,000 (909) 884-6891

Redlands First Time Homebuyer Program (FTHB)
$15,000 (909) 884-6891

Riverside CalHome Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)
$30,000 (909) 341-6511

Riverside County Individaul Development Account (IDA)
$4,000 (909) 955-4900

San Diego County San Diego Neighborhood Housing Services CalHome Program (CalHome)
$40,000 (619) 282-6647

San Diego Down Payment Assistance Grant (DPAG) Program
$7,500 (619) 578-7491

San Diego Neighborhood Housing Services Cost Assistance Support for Homebuyers Program (CASH)
$10,000 (619) 282-6647

San Fernando First Time Homebuyer Program (FTHP)
$45,000 (81 898-1233

San Marcos Down Payment Assistance Loan Program (DPAL)
$10,000 (760) 744-1050

Simi Valley Closing Cost Grant Assistance (GRANT)
$3,000 (805) 583-6853

Simi Valley First Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (FTHB)
$40,000 (805) 583-6853

Upland Primary Assistance Loan Program (PAL)
$30,000 (909) 931-4113

Ventura First Time Home Buyer Grants Program (HBAP)
$45,000 (805) 654-0038

Victorville Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)
$5,000 (760) 955-5032



Pretty extensive list, isn't it?

We're in a very soft market right now as far as home sales are concerned, and unfortunately, I think a lot of buyers are being needlessly scared off by the doom-and-gloom tone of the media regarding real estate right now. The truth is, if you're looking at BUYING real estate, right now is a FANTASTIC time to jump in, because prices have softened, sellers have been stagnating on the market for a while and are often desperate to get their homes sold, which gives the buyer a tremendous amount of bargaining power. WHY NOT combine that bargaining power with the programs promoted by various government entities to make the dream of home ownership come true?

If you've been sitting on the fence, it's time to get serious. Some people imagine that home ownership is further away than it actually is, and as a result, they do not pursue it. This is a huge mistake. You do no know what you don't know until you try to move forward. If you started the process today, talking with lenders, checking up on your credit (and making necessary repairs to it), looking into home buyer assistance programs, talking with your agent (hopefully me) about creative ways to structure offers to make things more affordable for you while creating a win-win for everyone, etc. - then you just might be celebrating NEXT Thanksgiving in your own place. Don't assume it's impossible until you've exhausted every possibility. Don't be the one to squash your own dreams.

Orange County is all about making dreams come true. Let me help you make your dream a reality.