California Homebuyers See New Grants Boost First-Time Buyer Support

What the Program Is

The California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan is a down payment assistance program offered by the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA). It is designed to be used in conjunction with the Dream For All Conventional first mortgage and helps cover down payment and/or closing costs for first-time homebuyers in California.

Who It's For

The program targets first-time homebuyers in California who meet CalHFA's eligibility requirements and are using the Dream For All Conventional first mortgage. Eligibility details, income limits, and participating lender information are published and updated by CalHFA.

How It Works

Because the assistance is structured as a shared appreciation loan, repayment is tied to the future appreciation of the home, rather than being a traditional grant. Buyers apply through CalHFA-approved lenders and manage their application through the official DFA Portal.

Fraud Alert From CalHFA

CalHFA has posted a fraud alert on its Dream For All program page warning applicants to be aware of potential scams. The agency states it will only require applicants to provide information through their DFA Portal, and it urges buyers not to click suspicious text or email links. Instead, applicants should visit their DFA portal directly for the latest communications on their application.

Where to Learn More

Prospective buyers can review official program details, eligibility criteria, and participating lender lists on the CalHFA Dream For All page. Applicants are encouraged to go through CalHFA-approved lenders and rely solely on official CalHFA channels for program updates.