How does FHA down payment assistance work?
It works as a second loan alongside your FHA first mortgage. The second loan covers the FHA minimum down payment, so you may be able to buy without saving that amount yourself.
You'll still want to plan for closing costs and moving expenses. FHA allows seller credits of up to 6% of the price, which can help cover closing costs.
Do I have to pay back down payment assistance?
With the program I use most, yes. The second loan must be repaid over time. The repayment period depends on the lender, and the rate on the second loan is higher than the rate on your first mortgage.
Other programs work differently. Some are deferred until you sell or refinance, and some may be forgiven after a set time. Read each program's terms before you choose.
Are there income limits?
Usually not for the FHA program I use most. City, county and CalHFA programs often have income limits, home price limits, first-time buyer rules or homebuyer education requirements.
Does San Bernardino County directly offer down payment assistance?
We could not find a county-run buyer program. As of October 2026, the county's housing page describes HOME funds for developers, not direct help for buyers. Source: cdh.sbcounty.gov
Is Dream For All open in 2026?
No. The 2026 application window ran February 24 to March 16, 2026, and is closed to new applicants. Dream For All also requires every borrower to be a U.S. citizen, national or qualified alien, so ITIN borrowers are not eligible. Sources: calhfa.ca.gov and calhfa.ca.gov
Can I combine more than one assistance program?
No. The assistance programs I work with can't be combined, so we choose the one that fits you best.
Can I get down payment assistance if I'm not a first-time buyer?
Possibly. Some programs require first-time buyer status and others don't. For example, the GSFA Platinum program page lists no first-time buyer requirement. Check its current funding status. Source: gsfahome.org
What programs are available in California right now?
Updated October 2026. Program funding changes often. CalHFA and GSFA programs are available statewide. City and county programs depend on where you buy; the Inland Empire programs below are examples, so ask me about programs where you're buying. "Check current status" means we could not confirm it is open today.
| Program | Who it's for | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalHFA Dream For All | First-time, first-generation buyers; citizens, nationals or qualified aliens only (not ITIN) | Closed for 2026 | calhfa.ca.gov |
| CalHFA MyHome | First-time buyers using a CalHFA first loan; homebuyer education; no non-occupant co-borrowers | Listed on CalHFA's site; check current status | calhfa.ca.gov |
| GSFA Platinum | Buyers using FHA, VA, USDA or conventional; no first-time buyer requirement listed | Check current status | gsfahome.org |
| Riverside County HOME First-Time Homebuyer | Lower-income first-time buyers in unincorporated Riverside County and participating cities (such as Banning, Beaumont, Eastvale, Norco, San Jacinto, Wildomar). Not the cities of Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Perris, Jurupa Valley, Lake Elsinore or Hemet | 2025-26 program year ran to June 30, 2026; check current status | hemetca.gov |
| Inland Empire Down Payment Assistance (IEDPA) | First-time, low- and moderate-income buyers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties | Check current status | iegives.org |
| City of Ontario Keys to Community | Ontario buyers | Closed; no longer taking applications | ontarioca.gov |
| San Bernardino County | n/a | No county-run buyer program found | cdh.sbcounty.gov |
How do I find out which program fits me?
Apply online or call me at 562-743-6666. I'll review your income, the home's location and the loan type, and tell you which options are worth pursuing.
Reviewed by Bernardo Esparza, NMLS #906396 · Updated October 2026