San Diego City and County Homebuyer Incentive Program
$50,000
About the Program
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) offers deferred-payment loans and homeownership grants to help low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers buy their first homes.
Additionally, a SDHC Homeownership Advisor is available to answer questions about first-time homebuyer programs, assess financial preparedness and, as needed, connect callers with counseling agencies that provide the types of services they need to become ready to buy a home. Households that want to learn more about available assistance for down payments or closing costs, as well as referrals to programs to prepare for homeownership, such as credit counseling or debt reduction, should call (619) 578-7788 or email homeownership@sdhc.org.
The SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Low-Income Program* can assist with the purchase of a single-family home, townhome or condominium in the City of San Diego. Eligible buyers earning no more than 80 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income may qualify for a deferred-payment, second trust deed loan of up to 19 percent of the purchase price, with the interest rate set at 3 percent, and a closing cost assistance grant of up to $10,000.
This program is funded primarily through federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program grants to the City of San Diego that are administered by SDHC.
Additional funding sources include federal Community Development Block Grant funds, State CalHome Program funds, and City of San Diego Affordable Housing Funds.
The SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Middle-Income Program* can assist with the purchase of a single-family home, townhome or condominium in the City of San Diego. Eligible buyers earning between 80 percent and 150 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income may qualify for a $40,000 deferred down-payment assistance loan and a $10,000 closing costs assistance grant.
This program is funded by a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation.
Since 1988, SDHC has helped more than 6,100 families and individuals buy their first homes.
*SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Program loans and grants cannot be used in conjunction with the Affordable For-Sale Housing Program.
In addition to City of San Diego, SDHC administers the following other programs for neighboring jurisdictions:
- County of San Diego’s First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program. This County Department of Housing and Community Development Program serves all unincorporated areas of the County of San Diego as well as the cities of: Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, and Vista.
- City of Chula Vista’s First-Time Homebuyer Program
- City of El Cajon’s First-Time Homebuyer Program
Program Descriptions and Guidelines
Each first-time homebuyer program SDHC administers has different eligibility requirements and features. See the program descriptions and guidelines below.
- FTHB Program Summary Chart
- City of San Diego
- Low-Income (\<80% of AMI) Program
- Middle-Income (80% to 150% AMI) Program
- County of San Diego
- Moderate-Income (80% to 120% AMI) Program
- Low-Income (\<80% AMI) Program
- City of Chula Vista
- City of El Cajon
Applying for the First-Time Homebuyer Programs
- Contact a loan officer from our Participating Lender list. The loan officer will be the primary point of contact from pre-approval to loan closing. The loan officer collects all required documentation and submits the application on the borrower’s behalf to SDHC.
- Review San Diego’s Area Median Income (AMI) limits to confirm your household annual gross income (before taxes) does not exceed the limit for your family size. This includes the income of all adult household members.
- Review the program descriptions and guidelines for the appropriate jurisdiction (e.g., City of San Diego, County of San Diego etc.) found below under Forms and Documents.
- Attend a Homebuyer Education Course with an SDHC-approved provider.
- Work with a real estate agent to find a property.
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