The down payment is the biggest hurdle for most first-time buyers in San Diego County, and several public programs can cover part of it. Here are seven worth checking, with the amounts, income limits and price limits printed on each program’s own page as of October 4, 2026.
The programs at a glance
| Program | What it offers | Who it is for | Price limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of San Diego, lower income | Deferred loan up to 17% of the price (up to $125,000) plus a closing-cost grant of 4% (up to $10,000). 3% simple interest. | Household income below 80% of the area median | $883,025 (effective December 2025) | 3% minimum down payment. Listed as funds available. |
| City of San Diego, middle income | $40,000 deferred down payment loan plus a $10,000 closing-cost grant (forgiven after 3 years if you live in the home). 4% simple interest. | Income between 80% and 150% of the area median | $1,250,000 | Listed as funds available. |
| County of San Diego, lower income | Deferred loan up to 22% of the price plus a closing-cost loan of 4% (up to $10,000). 3% simple interest. | Household income below 80% of the area median | $743,000 (effective June 1, 2026) | 3% minimum down payment. Listed as funds available. |
| County of San Diego, moderate income | Deferred loan up to 17% of the price. 3% simple interest. | Income between 80% and 120% of the area median | The California Association of Realtors median price (it changes) | 3% minimum down payment. Listed as funds available. |
| City of Chula Vista | Deferred loan up to 22% of the price (up to $120,000) for down payment and closing costs. 3% simple interest. | Household income below 80% of the area median | $807,500 (effective October 2025) | 3% minimum down payment. Listed as funds available. |
| CalHFA MyHome Assistance | Deferred junior loan of up to 3.5% of the price or appraised value (FHA loans) or 3% (conventional loans), whichever is less. | First-time buyers within CalHFA income limits; you live in the home; homebuyer education required | Set by CalHFA and the first mortgage | Used together with a CalHFA first mortgage. |
| CalHFA Dream For All | Shared appreciation loan of up to 20% of the price, not to exceed $150,000. You repay the loan plus 20% of any appreciation (15% if your income is at or below 80% of the area median). | First-time buyers where at least one borrower is a first-generation homebuyer and a California resident | Set by CalHFA | The 2026 application window closed on March 16, 2026. Watch the CalHFA page for the next round. |
Sources: San Diego Housing Commission first-time homebuyer programs (the five local programs), CalHFA MyHome Assistance and CalHFA Dream For All.
What “deferred” and “shared appreciation” mean
- Deferred loan: you make no monthly payment on it. It is repaid, with the simple interest listed above, when you sell, refinance or stop living in the home. Read the terms for your program.
- Shared appreciation: instead of interest, you repay the original amount plus a set share of any increase in the home’s value.
- Closing-cost grant: money toward closing costs that does not need to be repaid, as long as the program’s conditions are met.
A simple path to find out what fits
- Check your household income against the area median income tables on the San Diego Housing Commission page. Income limits depend on household size.
- Plan on homebuyer education. CalHFA MyHome requires a course before closing, and other programs may too, so ask early.
- Talk to a lender who is approved for the program you want. Not every lender offers every program, and each program has its own first-mortgage rules.
- Keep the price limit in mind when you set your search. It is the number that rules out the most homes.
Using assistance in a real search
Program rules also affect the offer: timing, the loan type, and how the home must be used. Rudy can walk through how an assistance program fits into a purchase here, from the search to the offer. The four-question Home Strategy Quiz is a quick way to start.
Talk to a lender. Rates, loan programs and approvals come from lenders, not from websites or real estate agents. Talk to your own mortgage broker, or use our preferred lender, Point Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #231073), at (619) 475-4095. You are always free to choose any lender you like, and you can verify any lender’s license at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
General information, not financial advice. Programs, limits and funding change; confirm with the program and your lender.
Related reading
- The Real Costs of Buying Your First Home (Beyond the Down Payment) — Saving for a down payment is only the first hurdle. Here is a simple checklist of the other costs to plan for…
- First-Time Buyer Guides for Every Part of San Diego County — The team’s local sites, one for each area of San Diego County, and the other guides for specific situations…
- How Much Home Can I Afford? — A quick, friendly estimate of the price range that fits your income, debts and savings.
- First-Time Buyer Guide: Steps, Costs and Straight Answers — Market updates, buying and selling guidance, and where to find Rudy Flores on social media.