California Homeowner Grants
Find grants, loans, and assistance programs available to California homeowners.
California-Specific Programs (12)
CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program
CA Housing Authority
CalHFA's flagship down payment assistance program provides up to 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value as a deferred-payment junior loan.
California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan
CA Housing Authority
Groundbreaking program providing up to 20% down payment assistance as a shared appreciation loan. The state shares in the home's appreciation when sold or refinanced.
ADU Grant Program
CA Housing Authority
Provides grants to homeowners to help offset the cost of building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), with priority for units rented to low-income tenants.
Property Tax Postponement Program
CA Housing Authority
Allows eligible senior, blind, or disabled homeowners to defer payment of property taxes on their primary residence until the property is sold.
Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption
CA Housing Authority
Basic property tax exemption available to all California homeowners on their primary residence, reducing assessed value by $7,000.
Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption
CA Housing Authority
California offers significant property tax exemptions for disabled veterans based on disability rating and income level.
Self-Generation Incentive Program (Battery Storage)
CA Housing Authority
SGIP provides rebates for residential battery energy storage systems, critical for backup power during California's wildfire-related outages.
Federal Solar Tax Credit + California Net Metering
CA Housing Authority
Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar installations combined with California's Net Energy Metering (NEM) makes solar highly attractive despite recent NEM changes.
Weatherization Assistance Program
CA Housing Authority
Free comprehensive energy efficiency improvements for low-income California homeowners, reducing utility bills and improving comfort.
CalHOME Down Payment Assistance (Local Programs)
local governments and nonprofits, providing down payment assistance and home rehabilitation loans
State-funded program administered by local governments and nonprofits, providing down payment assistance and home rehabilitation loans.
Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB)
CA Housing Authority
Provides grants to homeowners in high-risk earthquake zones to seismically retrofit older houses, reducing earthquake damage risk.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
California Department of Community Services & Development or local Community Action Agency
Helps eligible low-income California households with energy bills, weatherization, and energy-related minor home repairs.
National Programs Available in California (53)
USDA Section 502 Direct Home Loans
USDA Rural Development
Zero down payment, subsidized interest rate mortgages for low and very low-income rural homebuyers unable to obtain conventional financing.
grantVA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Grant up to $130,780 (FY 2026) for severely disabled veterans to build, buy, or modify a home to accommodate their disabilities.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
U.S. Department of Energy
Federal and state-funded program providing free energy efficiency improvements to low-income homeowners, reducing utility bills and improving home comfort and safety.
USDA Section 504 Home Repair Loans & Grants
USDA Rural Development
Federal program providing loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 for very low-income homeowners to repair homes in rural areas.
FHA Title II Home Equity Conversion Mortgage for Purchase
Federal Housing Administration
Reverse mortgage for seniors purchasing a new primary residence
HUD Homeownership Voucher Program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Monthly homeownership assistance for low-income families
USDA Rural Housing Site Loan Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Loans to develop building sites for low-income families in rural areas
VA Vendee Loan Program
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA financing for purchasing VA foreclosed properties
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door - Law Enforcement
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Half-price homes for law enforcement officers in revitalization areas
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door - Teachers
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Half-price homes for K-12 teachers in revitalization areas
Fannie Mae HomeReady Mortgage
Fannie Mae
Low down payment mortgage for low to moderate-income borrowers
Freddie Mac Home Possible Mortgage
Freddie Mac
Low down payment options for low to moderate-income families
USDA Rural Repair and Rehabilitation Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Grants for very low-income seniors to remove health and safety hazards
Mortgage Credit Certificate Programs (Local)
Various State and Local Housing Authorities
Federal tax credit on mortgage interest through local programs
FHA Condominium Loan Program
Federal Housing Administration
Mortgage insurance for purchasing condominiums
FHA Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance (203(h))
Federal Housing Administration
Mortgage insurance for disaster victims to rebuild/purchase
HUD Section 251 Adjustable Rate Mortgages
Federal Housing Administration
Insured adjustable rate mortgages with caps
VA Loan Assumption
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Allows qualified buyers to assume existing VA loan
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Grants and loans for renewable energy systems in rural areas
FHA Growing Equity Mortgage (GEM)
Federal Housing Administration
Mortgage with increasing payments to build equity faster
HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Homeownership Assistance
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Local programs using CDBG funds for homeownership
Section 8 Homeownership Vouchers
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Use Section 8 voucher toward mortgage payments
HOPE for Homeowners
Federal Housing Administration
Mortgage refinance for underwater homeowners
FHA Graduated Payment Mortgage
Federal Housing Administration
Lower initial payments that increase over time
VA Cash-Out Refinance
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Refinance to access home equity for improvements
HUD Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Mortgage guarantee for Native American homebuyers on trust land
USDA Section 523 Mutual Self-Help Housing
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Technical assistance grants for self-help housing programs in rural areas
FHA Title I Property Improvement Loan
Federal Housing Administration
Insured loans for home improvements and repairs
VA Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Grants for disabled veterans to make home modifications
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Internal Revenue Service
Tax credit for residential solar energy system installation
DOE Weatherization Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Energy
Free weatherization services for low-income homeowners
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door - Firefighter/EMT
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
50% discount on HUD homes for firefighters and EMTs
Fannie Mae HomePath Ready Buyer
Fannie Mae
Up to 3% closing cost assistance for Fannie Mae-owned homes
Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA direct home loans for Native American veterans on trust land
FHA 203(b) Mortgage Insurance
Federal Housing Administration
Mortgage insurance for home purchase with low down payment
Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Internal Revenue Service
Federal tax credit for solar, wind, geothermal systems
FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM)
Federal Housing Administration
Helps homebuyers and homeowners finance energy efficiency improvements as part of their FHA-insured mortgage.
Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Provides 50% discount on HUD-owned homes for law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians.
Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Homeownership Program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Allows housing choice voucher participants to use assistance toward homeownership costs including mortgage payments.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
Federal Government
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
grantCommunity Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Federal Government
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
loanFHA Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance
Federal Government
FHA Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance
grantUSDA Section 504 Home Repair Program
Federal Government
USDA Section 504 Home Repair Program
loanUSDA Section 502 Direct Loan Program
Federal Government
USDA Section 502 Direct Loan Program
grantVA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grants
Federal Government
VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grants
loanVA Home Loan Guaranty Program
Federal Government
VA Home Loan Guaranty Program
grantWeatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Federal Government
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
grantLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Federal Government
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
grantEnergy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
Federal Government
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)
grantIndian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) & Title VI Loan Guarantee
local TDHE Programs Available New construction assistance Housing rehabilitation Down payment assistance Title VI loan guarantees Rental assistance Assistance Amount Varies by tribe and program
Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) & Title VI Loan Guarantee
loanHome Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) - Reverse Mortgage
Federal Government
Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) - Reverse Mortgage
loanFHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
FHA-insured mortgage that includes funds to purchase and rehabilitate a home in a single loan with low down payment.
grantVA Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Grant up to $25,350 (FY 2026) for disabled veterans to adapt a home for independent living.
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