Program Descriptions and Guidelines
Each first-time homebuyer program SDHC administers has different eligibility requirements and features. See the program descriptions and guidelines below.
- City of San Diego
- County of San Diego Low-Income (<80% AMI) Program
- County of San Diego Middle-Income (80% – 120% AMI) Program
- City of Chula Vista
- City of El Cajon
| City of San Diego (ZIP Codes beginning with 921) | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan for down payment: Up to 22% of the purchase price Grant for closing costs (forgiven): 4% of the purchase price up to $10,000 Forgivable loan for closing costs: 4% of the purchase price up to $10,000 |
| Interest Rate | 3% Simple Interest |
| Income Limit | 80% of San Diego’s Area Median Income (For forgivable loans for closing costs, the maximum income is 100% of Area Median Income.) |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Attached: $603,250 Detached: $1,030,750 Effective December 2022 |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines |
| Additional Terms | No payments are required for 30 years, unless the owner sells or no longer occupies the home as a primary residence, at which time the principal balance, including accrued interest, must be repaid.
To qualify, the buyer must obtain a fixed-rate first trust deed loan; have adequate income, a good credit rating; and provide a minimum down payment of 3 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
| County of San Diego Low-Income (<80% AMI) Program (12 participating cities and unincorporated areas – See Program Guidelines for specific cities) | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan for down payment: Up to 17% of the purchase price Loan for closing costs: 4% of the purchase price up to $10,000 |
| Interest Rate | 3% Simple Interest |
| Income Limit | 80% of San Diego’s Area Median Income |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Attached: $589,000 Detached: $589,000 Effective June 2022 |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines (Low-Income, 80% AMI) |
| Additional Terms | No payments are required for 30 years, unless the owner sells or no longer occupies the home as a primary residence, at which time the principal balance, including accrued interest, must be repaid.
To qualify, the buyer must obtain a fixed-rate first trust deed loan; have adequate income, a good credit rating; and provide a minimum down payment of 3 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
| County of San Diego Middle-Income (80% – 120% AMI) Program (6 participating cities and unincorporated areas – See Program Guidelines for specific cities) | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan for down payment: Up to 17% of the purchase price |
| Interest Rate | 3% Simple Interest |
| Income Limit | 120% of San Diego’s Area Median Income |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Current Median Sales Price as listed on the California Association of Realtors Website To access the median sales price on the C.A.R. website, select the links to the SFH Sales & Price or CDO Sales & Price. Please note C.A.R. updates the median sales price each month. |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines (Middle-Income, 80% – 120% AMI) |
| Additional Terms | No payments are required for 30 years, unless the owner sells or no longer occupies the home as a primary residence, at which time the principal balance, including accrued interest, must be repaid.
To qualify, the buyer must obtain a fixed-rate first trust deed loan; have adequate income, a good credit rating; and provide a minimum down payment of 3 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
| City of Chula Vista | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan: Up to 22% of the purchase price—not to exceed $120,000—for down payment and closing costs |
| Interest Rate | 3% Simple Interest |
| Income Limit | 80% of San Diego’s Area Median Income |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Attached: $570,000 Detached: $826,500 Effective July 2022 |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines |
| Additional Terms | No payments are required for 30 years, unless the owner sells or no longer occupies the home as a primary residence, at which time the principal balance, including accrued interest, must be repaid.
To qualify, the buyer must obtain a fixed-rate first trust deed loan; have adequate income, a good credit rating; and provide a minimum down payment of 3 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
| City of El Cajon | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan: Up to 22% of the purchase price—not to exceed $150,000 for single-family homes and townhomes OR $100,000 for condominiums—for down payment and closing costs |
| Interest Rate | Shared Equity (see Program Guidelines) |
| Income Limit | 80% of San Diego’s Area Median Income |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Attached: $418,000 Detached: $722,000 Effective July 2022 |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines |
| Additional Terms | No payments are required for 30 years, unless the owner sells or no longer occupies the home as a primary residence, at which time the principal balance, including accrued interest, must be repaid.
To qualify, the buyer must obtain a fixed-rate first trust deed loan; have adequate income, a good credit rating; and provide a minimum down payment of 3 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
Submitting First Time Homebuyer Assistance Applications
If you are a current participating loan officer and need your log-in credentials, please email [email protected].
- Complete the applicable application package:
City of San Diego Program Application
County of San Diego Program Application
City of Chula Vista Program Application
City of El Cajon Program Application - Log-in to the FTHB Lender Portal
First-Time Homebuyer Lender Portal - Follow the instructions in the Lender Portal Submission Guide
Prior to submitting loan packages for underwriting, lenders should check this website for updates on loan documents, available funds or program changes.
Participating Lenders
To become a participating lender for the First-Time Homebuyer Programs (FTHB) you are required to attend an SDHC lender training seminar and your company must enter into a Lender Participation Agreement with SDHC. There is a $50 fee per loan officer for training and a $500 annual lender participation fee. Lender training seminars are held quarterly in March, June, September, and December. For more information email [email protected]
Forms & Documents
County of San Diego Guidelines
