One of the biggest 2026 programs is the CalHFA Dream For All shared appreciation loan.       One of the biggest 2026 programs is the CalHFA Dream For All shared appreciation loan.   - Offers up to 20 % of the purchase price toward down payment or closing costs (max ~50,000).   Works as a shared appreciation loan — you repay the amount plus a matching share of home value gain when you sell, refinance, or transfer the home.   Registration (lottery system) is slated for Feb 24 – Mar 16, 2026 — prepare early.Often prioritized for first-time and first-generation buyers.   This is effectively the closest mainstream option in 2026 that can reach 20 % assistance for eligible buyers in California.

Manpreet Nagi,

Broker Associate

Keller Williams Realty

Nearly 20 years of experience helping Livermore & East Bay homeowners sell with confidence.
🌐 www.SellWithNagi.com

📞 1-844-NAGI-SELL

📞1-844-624-4735

Many cities/counties have their own DPA programs that can cover around 20 % of purchase price as deferred loans:

Los Angeles County

LACDA Home Ownership Programs (HOP80/HOP120) offer up to 20 % of purchase price as a second mortgage for down payment/closing cost assistance.

Riverside County

First-time buyer programs may provide assistance up to 20 % of sales price, depending on eligibility.

San Diego

SDHC programs provide up to ~19 % deferred down-payment assistance plus closing cost grants — close to the 20 % mark.

Other Cities/Counties

Local DPA offerings across California may provide $10K – $200K in assistance — effectively a large chunk of down payment on many homes.

These local programs vary widely in income limits, purchase price caps, and eligibility (often first-time buyers).

Down payment assistance is usually structured in one of the following ways:

Deferred Second Mortgage

No monthly payments.
Repay when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.
Often used for 20 % assistance loans like Dream For All.

Shared Appreciation

You repay the principal plus a share of home’s appreciation — the model used by CalHFA Dream For All.

Zero-Interest or Forgivable Loans

Available in some local programs; may be forgiven if you stay in the home a set period.

Check eligibility early — many programs require pre-registration, income limits, credit score minimums, and completion of homebuyer education. Work with an approved lender — especially for California programs like GSFA or CalHFA — they’ll handle many requirements.   Combine programs — sometimes state and local assistance can stack (e.g., CalHFA + city/county DPA).

Other National & State Options (Often Less Than 20 %)

These might not reach 20 %, but can still help:

CalHFA MyHome Assistance: ~3–3.5 % toward down payment.State/National programs offering various grants or loans for first-time buyers.Community programs like WISH matching grants (amounts vary).