First-Time Home Buyer Programs in the Bay Area: what is open, closed, and worth verifying

Pre-application period closed May 15, 2024; a Funding Cycle 3 lottery was held June 5, 2024. The official page shows no newer round as of verification — current status could reflect a paused, fully-subscribed, or between-cycles program; check the official page directly.

A shared-appreciation down payment assistance loan of up to $210,000 for households at or below 100% AMI, or up to $160,000 for households at or below 120% AMI. No payments due during the loan term.

Assistance type

Shared-appreciation loan

Potential amount

Up to $210,000 (household income ≤100% AMI) or up to $160,000 (≤120% AMI) — shared-appreciation loan

Income / AMI limit

Assistance amount scales with income: up to $210,000 at or below 100% AMI, or up to $160,000 at or below 120% AMI. AMI dollar limits are updated annually (typically late spring) and are not listed on the general program page — check the official eligibility checker for current figures.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Depends on household size

Assistance tier depends on being at/below 100% or 120% Alameda County AMI. Alameda County's 2026 120% AMI figure for a 4-person household is approximately $186,850 (per a secondary source citing the county's own AMI table; not independently re-confirmed against the primary table this pass) — a ~$190K income is right at or just above that figure for a 4-person household, and the ratio would differ for other household sizes.

This is a standing, non-lottery assistance program tied to CalHFA first mortgages — it does not display an explicit open/closed indicator the way lottery-based programs do. The mechanics below were verified directly from the official page; check with a CalHFA-approved lender for current availability.

A deferred-payment junior loan of up to 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is less) for government loans (FHA), or up to 3% for conventional loans, paired with a CalHFA first mortgage. No monthly payments — repaid when the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

Assistance type

Deferred-payment junior loan

Potential amount

Up to 3.5% of purchase price/appraised value (FHA) or up to 3% (conventional) — deferred loan

Income / AMI limit

CalHFA sets one flat income limit per county (not adjusted by household size, unlike typical AMI tables) — see the official income limits page/PDF. For Santa Clara County specifically, the 2026 Government/Conventional limit is $325,000, effective 6/30/2026, grouped with other 'high-cost county' limits (Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo). Limits vary significantly by county — this figure does not apply statewide.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Potentially relevant

For Santa Clara County specifically, CalHFA's 2026 flat income limit is $325,000 — a ~$190K income is comfortably under this ceiling. Other counties have different, sometimes much lower, limits; this signal reflects Santa Clara County only.

The 2026 registration period for a down payment loan voucher closed March 16, 2026; vouchers from the randomized drawing were released May 20, 2026 to selected applicants (categorized Not Selected / Waitlist / Voucher Issued). No new registration round shown on the official page as of verification — monitor the official page for the next round.

Offers up to 20% of the purchase price for down payment or closing costs (not to exceed $150,000), as a shared-appreciation loan alongside a CalHFA first mortgage. At repayment, the borrower repays the original loan plus a share of the home's appreciation — 20% of appreciation for moderate-income borrowers, or a reduced 15% share (using a 0.75:1 formula) for borrowers at or below 80% AMI.

Assistance type

Shared-appreciation loan

Potential amount

Up to 20% of purchase price, not to exceed $150,000 — shared-appreciation loan

Income / AMI limit

Combined household income must meet CalHFA's published income limits for the county of purchase — the program page does not state the specific figures.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Needs verification

CalHFA does not publish a specific dollar income limit on this page — only that county income limits apply — and the program shows no open 2026 round to check against currently.

Like MyHome, this is a standing, non-lottery program tied to a specific CalHFA first mortgage (CalPLUS) — it does not display an explicit open/closed indicator. Mechanics were verified directly from the official page; check with a CalHFA-approved lender for current availability.

A zero-interest second loan equal to 2% or 3% of the CalPLUS first mortgage amount, usable only for closing costs — not down payment or debt payoff. No payments while owned; deferred for the life of the CalPLUS first mortgage.

Assistance type

Zero-interest deferred loan (closing costs only)

Potential amount

2% or 3% of the CalPLUS first mortgage amount — zero-interest, closing costs only

Income / AMI limit

CalHFA sets one flat income limit per county (not adjusted by household size). For Santa Clara County specifically, the 2026 Government/Conventional limit is $325,000, effective 6/30/2026 — CalPLUS ZIP shares CalHFA's standard income-limit table with MyHome. Limits vary significantly by county — this figure does not apply statewide.

First-time buyer required

Not stated

~$190K research signal

Potentially relevant

For Santa Clara County specifically, CalHFA's 2026 flat income limit is $325,000 — a ~$190K income is comfortably under this ceiling. This signal reflects Santa Clara County only.

Official city page states "Now Accepting Applications!" as of verification.

A deferred second-mortgage loan of up to $60,000 to help qualified low- to moderate-income first-time buyers with down payment and/or closing costs. No interest charged and no monthly payments — the loan is repaid in full within 15 years, at which point the City also receives a share of the home's increased value.

Assistance type

Shared-appreciation deferred loan (0% interest, no monthly payment, due in full at 15 years along with a share of appreciation)

Potential amount

Up to $60,000, second-mortgage down payment/closing-cost loan

Income / AMI limit

Eligibility is based on 150% of Area Median Income for the household size; exact dollar figures by household size are not stated on the program overview page.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Depends on household size

Eligibility is capped at 150% AMI — a meaningfully higher ceiling than most Bay Area DPA programs (typically 80–120% AMI), so a ~$190K household income may be within range depending on household size and Contra Costa County's official 150% AMI table, which was not independently re-confirmed this pass.

Official page states there are currently no funds for this program and it is not accepting applications.

A federal Mortgage Credit Certificate providing an annual tax credit equal to 20% of mortgage interest paid, for first-time buyers purchasing a new or existing single-family home anywhere in Contra Costa County, including its cities.

Assistance type

Tax credit (Mortgage Credit Certificate)

Potential amount

Annual federal tax credit equal to 20% of mortgage interest paid (not a cash payment)

Income / AMI limit

Non-target areas: $104,400–$120,060 depending on household size. Target areas: $125,280–$146,160 depending on household size.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Likely above income limit

Even the highest published income limit (target-area, largest household size, $146,160) is well below a ~$190K household income — and the program is currently closed to new applicants regardless.

Fully subscribed as of verification — no longer accepting new applications. Program sunset date June 30, 2026, per the official program administrator. Interested buyers are directed to a Homeownership Assistance Interest List for updates on alternative programs.

A shared-appreciation down payment loan of up to 17% of the home's purchase price, funded by the 2016 Measure A Affordable Housing Bond. No monthly payments or interest — the loan plus a share of home appreciation is repaid at sale, refinance, or loan maturity.

Assistance type

Shared-appreciation loan

Potential amount

Up to 17% of purchase price (shared-appreciation loan) — program is closed to new applicants

Income / AMI limit

Household income was capped at 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) for Santa Clara County when the program was accepting applications — the dollar figure depends on household size.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Depends on household size

Income cap was 120% AMI for Santa Clara County. Per the official 2026 Santa Clara County AMI table (santaclaraca.gov, effective 2026-05-29), 120% AMI is $172,600 for a 1-person household and $197,300 for a 2-person household — a ~$190K income would exceed the 1-person limit but fall under the 2-person-and-larger limits.

The official City of Fremont BMP page states the City currently has no BMP homes for sale; an interest list is open for notification when a home becomes available. This is a below-market-rate home-purchase opportunity, not a cash-assistance loan — the City separately states it no longer has down-payment loan-assistance funds of its own (its prior funds came from Redevelopment Agency financing, dissolved statewide) and refers first-time buyers to CalHFA or Alameda County's AC Boost for cash assistance instead.

An opportunity to purchase a below-market-price home in Fremont under the City's Affordable Housing Ordinance, when a developer sets aside a unit or a current BMP owner resells. This is a purchase-price discount on a specific unit, not a loan or grant — buyers still need their own qualifying mortgage for the (below-market) purchase price.

Assistance type

Below-market/affordable ownership opportunity

Potential amount

Not a cash loan/grant — a below-market purchase price on a specific unit, set when the unit is built/resold

Income / AMI limit

Example published on the official BMP page: a 3-person household must earn at least $112,550 and no more than $172,600/year to qualify. The official page does not publish the full table for other household sizes; income_limit above reflects the 3-person maximum only.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Depends on household size

Only a 3-person household figure is published ($172,600 maximum), which a ~$190K income would exceed. Larger households would have a higher ceiling under a typical AMI-scaled table, but the official page does not publish those figures, so a household-size-specific answer can't be given for households other than 3-person.

Official page presents the program as currently active, with application instructions and no suspension/closure notice.

Up to 5% of the first mortgage amount toward down payment and closing costs, for buyers using FHA, VA, USDA, or Conventional financing. Structured as a 3.5% second mortgage (15-year amortizing, monthly payments) plus up to 1.5% in non-repayable gift funds.

Assistance type

Amortizing second mortgage + gift funds

Potential amount

Up to 5% of first mortgage amount (3.5% amortizing second mortgage + up to 1.5% non-repayable gift)

Income / AMI limit

Not stated on the official page fetched this pass.

First-time buyer required

No

~$190K research signal

No explicit income limit found

No income limit is stated on the official Golden Opportunities page — eligibility is driven by the underlying FHA/VA/USDA/Conventional loan program's own limits, not a GSFA-specific income cap.

The official page states "All Program funds are currently allocated," updated January 1, 2025 — not accepting new applications as of verification.

Not a direct-assistance loan or grant — a federal tax credit equal to 20% of annual mortgage interest paid, claimable for the life of the loan while the home remains the borrower's primary residence. The remaining 80% of mortgage interest is still separately deductible.

Assistance type

Tax credit

Potential amount

20% of annual mortgage interest paid, as a federal tax credit — not a lump sum

Income / AMI limit

Not stated on the official page.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Needs verification

No income limit figure is stated on the official page, and the program shows no funds currently available to check eligibility against.

Promotion explicitly stated as extended through August 2026 on the official page.

Combination down payment/closing-cost assistance of up to 5.5% of the loan amount, structured as a repayable second mortgage and/or gift funds depending on the option selected (e.g. GSFA Platinum Select offers up to 3.5% as a repayable second plus up to 1.5% as gift funds).

Assistance type

Repayable second mortgage and/or gift funds (varies by option)

Potential amount

Up to 5.5% combined (e.g. up to 3.5% repayable second + up to 1.5% gift funds under Platinum Select)

Income / AMI limit

GSFA publishes low-to-moderate income limits by county for conventional loans — the program page does not state the specific dollar figures.

First-time buyer required

No

~$190K research signal

Needs verification

GSFA publishes low-to-moderate income limits by county but not the specific dollar figures on this page — cannot classify a ~$190K scenario without the county-specific number.

No closure or waitlist notation on the official page as of verification. Availability depends on which BMR-restricted developments currently have units for sale — this is not a standing pool of funds, it's deed-restricted unit inventory.

Deed-restricted below-market-rate ownership units required by the city's Affordable Housing Ordinance in new subdivisions and infill developments (including SoHay). Buyers purchase at a restricted price rather than receiving a cash subsidy; resale price stays restricted by covenant.

Assistance type

Deed-restricted below-market-rate purchase

Potential amount

Restricted purchase price on a deed-restricted unit, not a cash loan or grant — savings vary by development and unit

Income / AMI limit

Most units are restricted to moderate-income households, with some restricted to lower-income households — the official page does not state a single dollar figure; income limits are unit/development-specific.

First-time buyer required

Not stated

~$190K research signal

Needs verification

The official page states income limits are unit-specific (moderate- or lower-income restricted) without a single stated figure — cannot classify a ~$190K household against this without the per-development income limit.

The official program-listing page marks this program's status as "Available."

A 30-year deferred loan of up to 40% of the purchase price, capped at $200,000, with simple interest accruing annually (not shared-appreciation). No monthly payments during the term; full repayment due at 30 years or sooner if the home is sold, transferred, or refinanced.

Assistance type

Deferred simple-interest loan (not shared-appreciation)

Potential amount

Up to 40% of purchase price, maximum $200,000 — 30-year deferred loan

Income / AMI limit

80% AMI, published for Alameda and Contra Costa counties as $95,050 (1-person) to $135,750 (4-person) on the official page — Santa Clara County's own figure was not separately stated, suggesting this program (like HELP) may serve a broader Housing Trust Silicon Valley area rather than Santa Clara County alone. Confirm current limits for your specific county.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Likely above income limit

Published income limit is 80% AMI: $95,050 (1-person) to $135,750 (4-person) for Alameda/Contra Costa counties. A ~$190K income clearly exceeds this ceiling at every household size shown.

The official program-listing page states this program's status as "All funds allocated" — not accepting new applications as of verification.

A shared-appreciation down payment loan of up to 10% of the home purchase price. No monthly payments or interest — at maturity, sale, or refinance, the borrower repays the original loan plus a share of appreciation.

Assistance type

Shared-appreciation loan

Potential amount

Up to 10% of home purchase price — shared-appreciation loan

Income / AMI limit

Income limit is 140% of Area Median Income, ranging from $191,310 (1-person household) to $317,030 (6-person household).

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Potentially relevant

Published income limit is $191,310 for a 1-person household (140% AMI), scaling up to $317,030 for a 6-person household — a ~$190K income is at or under this limit at every household size, the strongest income match of any program in this table.

Official city page returned an access-blocked response (HTTP 403) to direct automated verification this pass, both via the WebFetch tool and a direct curl request — the same limitation already encountered on San José's official site. Described here from search-index content of that same official page rather than a full direct read; confirm current application status directly with the City before relying on it.

A second-mortgage loan providing down payment and closing-cost assistance for first-time homebuyers purchasing a Below Market Rate or market-rate home in Livermore, for households at or below 80% AMI (with some program tiers reaching up to 120% AMI).

Assistance type

Second-mortgage loan (exact repayment structure not independently confirmed this pass)

Potential amount

Second-mortgage down payment and closing-cost loan; exact maximum amount not confirmed this pass. The City lists a panel of preferred lenders that have processed these loans before.

Income / AMI limit

Income eligibility is tiered — at or below 80% AMI for the standard program, or up to 120% AMI under some programs — exact dollar figures by household size were not available in the indexed page content reviewed this pass.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Needs verification

Income tiers (80%/120% AMI) are mentioned but exact dollar figures by household size were not available in the reviewed content — cannot classify a ~$190K household without them.

The official city page does not state whether units are currently available, closed, or on a waitlist — it only describes how to sign up for notifications via HouseKeys. Availability depends on which BMR-restricted developments currently have units for sale.

Deed-restricted below-market-rate ownership units in Milpitas, limited to 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom homes, administered on the City's behalf by HouseKeys. Buyers purchase a specific restricted unit rather than receiving cash assistance.

Assistance type

Deed-restricted below-market-rate purchase

Potential amount

Restricted purchase price on a deed-restricted unit, not a cash loan or grant — savings vary by development and unit

Income / AMI limit

Not stated on the official city page. Income limits are likely unit/development-specific, following the same pattern already documented for Hayward's and Fremont's BMR programs, but this has not been independently confirmed for Milpitas.

First-time buyer required

Not stated

~$190K research signal

Needs verification

No income limit is published on the official program page — cannot classify a ~$190K household against this program without unit-specific figures.

The official City of Newark housing page and Hello Housing's official program page (both directly fetched 2026-08-31) state the program is not yet accepting applications — an interest list is open, described as the way to "receive program updates, eligibility details, and important announcements leading up to the launch." A May 26, 2026 local news article (Tri-City Voice) reported the City was "accepting applications" for the program's inaugural round with a stated $3M allocation and a family-of-4 120%-AMI limit of $186,850 — that claim conflicts with this record's directly-verified current status and is not used as the production status; it may reflect an earlier stage of the program that has since moved to interest-list-only, or an inaccuracy in the secondary source. Flagged here per the registry's conflicting-source policy rather than silently reconciled.

A deferred-payment loan toward the purchase of a home within Newark city limits, funded by the City's Housing Impact Fee Fund. Per Hello Housing's official program page: a maximum loan of $200,000 for households at or below 100% AMI, or $150,000 for households at or below 120% AMI, capped at the first mortgage amount. No monthly payments are due while the loan is deferred (specific repayment triggers not detailed on the official page).

Assistance type

Deferred-payment loan

Potential amount

Up to $200,000 (≤100% AMI) or $150,000 (≤120% AMI) — deferred-payment loan, capped at the first mortgage amount

Income / AMI limit

Assistance tier is AMI-based (100% vs. 120% AMI) rather than a single figure. Neither the City's nor Hello Housing's official page publishes a household-size income table; a secondary May 2026 news article cited $186,850 as the 120% AMI limit for a 4-person Newark household, not independently confirmed against an official AMI table this pass.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Depends on household size

Assistance tier depends on 100%/120% Alameda County AMI, which was not published on the official pages by household size. A secondary source's cited 4-person 120% AMI figure (~$186,850) would put a ~$190K income right at or just above that threshold for a 4-person household — larger households would have a higher ceiling, smaller households a lower one.

The most recently displayed application round (2025) closed June 2, 2025; the lottery was held June 25, 2025. The official page does not show a 2026 application round as of verification — check the official page for the next round announcement.

A 'silent second' loan of up to $500,000 toward the purchase of a market-rate home in San Francisco. No monthly payments — at sale, the borrower repays the principal plus an equitable share of the home's appreciation.

Assistance type

Shared-appreciation deferred loan

Potential amount

Up to $500,000 (silent second loan)

Income / AMI limit

Maximum household income scales by household size, from $218,200 (1 person) up to $411,400 (8 people) and $436,400 (9-person maximum), per the most recently published (2025) limits.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Potentially relevant

Published maximum household income is $218,200 for a 1-person household, scaling up for larger households — a ~$190K income is under this limit at every household size shown.

Operating since 1995. Not continuously open — homes become available periodically as new developments include BMP units or existing BMP owners resell. A real recent example: a 4-bedroom BMP townhome at 2913 Corvin Drive #155 had a pre-application period open through March 10, 2026. An interest list is available for notification of future openings; no homes were confirmed currently in an open pre-application period as of this verification.

An opportunity to purchase a below-market-price home in Santa Clara — detached homes, condos, townhomes, or manufactured homes the buyer will occupy as a primary residence. This is a purchase-price discount on a specific unit, not a cash loan or grant.

Assistance type

Below-market/affordable ownership opportunity

Potential amount

Not a cash loan/grant — a below-market purchase price on a specific unit, set when the unit is built/resold

Income / AMI limit

120% AMI for Santa Clara County. Per the official 2026 Santa Clara County AMI table (City of Santa Clara, effective 2026-05-29): $172,600 (1-person), $197,300 (2-person), $221,950 (3-person), $246,600 (4-person). income_limit above reflects the 4-person figure.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Potentially relevant

Per the official 2026 AMI table, 120% AMI is $197,300 for a 2-person household up to $246,600 for a 4-person household — a ~$190K income is under the limit for every household size of 2 or more, and only slightly over the 1-person limit ($172,600).

2026 program cycle is funded at $13 million; member institutions can submit participation requests through the Community Investment Portal through 2027-03-12 — confirm the exact current window with a participating lender, as FHLBank cycle dates can shift.

A 4-to-1 matching grant for lower-income first-time homebuyers: a household that contributes its own funds can receive a matching grant up to $32,837 (amount set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency). Grant is secured by a second deed of trust that amortizes over a retention period and is forgiven if the buyer maintains owner-occupancy through it.

Assistance type

Forgivable matching grant (second deed of trust)

Potential amount

Up to $32,837, as a 4:1 match of the buyer's own contribution

Income / AMI limit

Tied to 80% of HUD AMI for the applicable area/household size — not a single statewide dollar figure; varies by county and household size.

First-time buyer required

Yes

~$190K research signal

Likely above income limit

Capped at 80% of HUD AMI. Even the highest 80% AMI figure in this table's own household-size range (Alameda County, 6-person household) is $157,500 — a ~$190K household income exceeds the 80% AMI ceiling at every household size.