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 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.

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.