California Down Payment Aid Reopens, First-Gen Rush
Do You Qualify for Dream For All 2026 (CalHFA)? How eligibility is determined has tightened as CalHFA prepares for demand that is expected to exceed funding. With statewide 15% affordability for median-priced homes, competition for limited assistance is expected to be intense. Borrowers must be first-time buyers, with no ownership in the past three years. They must also not be on title within seven. First-time and first-generation tests At least one borrower must be first-generation, with parents lacking any U.S. homeownership interest. At least one borrower must be a California resident. The home must be owner-occupied as a primary residence. Registration for Dream For All 2026 runs Feb. 24–Mar. 16 . Income, credit, and documentation pressure Gross income must stay under county limits, such as about $168,000 in Los Angeles County. Conventional-only loans may require a 45–50% DTI, a 660–680 score, and 95–105% CLTV. You’ll also need a CalHFA-approved lender pre-approval and government-...