California Down Payment Assistance Eligibility (2026)
California's requirements come down to a credit score of 640 (GSFA) up to 680 (CalHFA), income under your county's limit, and a primary residence. The programs differ most on first-time status. Here is what qualifies you.
Who qualifies for California down payment assistance
The core gates are credit, income, and occupancy. You need a credit score of at least 640 for GSFA Platinum, or generally 680 for CalHFA’s standard conventional (660 on the HomeReady low-income rate). Your income must fall under the limit for your county, which CalHFA and GSFA set higher in high-cost California counties to reflect prices. The home must be your primary residence, you occupy it within 60 days, not an investment property. Homebuyer education is required. The assistance pairs with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage. We confirm your county figures before you shop.
First-time vs. repeat buyers
This is the biggest fork. If you have owned a home in the last three years, you are locked out of CalHFA MyHome and Dream For All, but GSFA Platinum has no first-time-buyer requirement, so it is your statewide path. First-time buyers get the full menu. And Dream For All adds one more test: at least one buyer must be a first-generation homebuyer, no ownership in seven years and parents who do not currently own. See who qualifies on our first-generation guide.
Limits vary by county
California’s income and sales-price limits are set county by county and run much higher on the coast than in the Central Valley, because they track local prices. They also change periodically. Rather than rely on a general number, we check your specific county against the current CalHFA and GSFA figures. That is especially important in high-cost counties, where a limit that looks low statewide is actually generous locally. See the program overview for the full picture.
CalHFA income limits by California county (2026)
CalHFA’s 2026 income limits for its first mortgages and MyHome assistance run from $192,000 in most counties up to $325,000 in the Bay Area, set by county and effective June 30, 2026 (CalHFA income limits). California’s limits are the highest in the country, reflecting local home prices. The California Dream For All shared-appreciation loan sets its own, separate limits.
| County | 2026 CalHFA income limit |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Napa | $325,000 |
| Alameda, Contra Costa | $322,000 |
| Orange | $274,000 |
| Santa Cruz | $271,000 |
| Ventura | $268,000 |
| San Diego | $259,000 |
| Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado | $245,000 |
| Santa Barbara | $235,000 |
| Monterey, Amador | $218,000 |
| Los Angeles, San Joaquin | $214,000 |
| Riverside, San Bernardino | $210,000 |
| Most other counties | $192,000 |
Which limit applies to you: these are the CalHFA first-mortgage and MyHome figures. California Dream For All and GSFA Platinum run on their own, generally higher limits, so a household just over the CalHFA number may still qualify under another program. We confirm your county’s exact figure and the right program before you shop.
Common questions
What credit score do I need for California down payment assistance?
GSFA Platinum requires a 640 minimum credit score (660 for manufactured housing). CalHFA's conventional minimum is generally 680 (660 on the HomeReady low-income rate). You also need income under your county's limit and a home that will be your primary residence.
What are the 2026 CalHFA income limits?
For 2026 (effective June 30, 2026), CalHFA income limits range from $192,000 in most counties up to $325,000 in the Bay Area (San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Napa). Los Angeles is $214,000, San Diego $259,000, Orange $274,000, and Sacramento $245,000. See the county table above. California Dream For All and GSFA Platinum run on their own, separate limits.
Can repeat buyers qualify for California down payment assistance?
Yes, through GSFA Platinum, which has no first-time-buyer requirement. CalHFA MyHome and Dream For All are limited to first-time buyers (not having owned in the past three years), and Dream For All also requires at least one first-generation buyer.
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