Los Angeles County, CA First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Down Payment Help
Los Angeles County buyers can apply to 3 local down payment programs, with help up to $161,000 through Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) Program, on top of California's statewide programs. Figures below were read from the administering agencies' own pages on September 11, 2026.
Local programs in Los Angeles County
These are run by Los Angeles County (unincorporated areas + 44 participating cities), City of Los Angeles, separate from the state housing finance agency, and can usually be combined with a state loan. Check the program page for current funding before you apply.
| Program | Type | Amount | Income limit | First-time only | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOP80 / HOP150 Home Ownership Program Los Angeles County (unincorporated areas + 44 participating cities) (Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA)) · source | deferred-payment second mortgage with shared appreciation | Up to $100,000, or 20% of purchase price, whichever is less | HOP80: at or below 80% of AMI ($133,250 for a family of 4); HOP150: at or below 150% of AMI ($162,150 for a family of 4) | Yes | Unincorporated LA County or one of the HOP Participating Cities; |
| Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) Program City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD)) · source | deferred second mortgage with shared appreciation | Up to $161,000 for down payment, closing costs, and acquisition | At or below 80% of AMI (Los Angeles County); $133,250 for a family of 4 | Yes | Inside the City of Los Angeles only |
| Moderate Income Purchase Assistance (MIPA) Program City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD)) · source | deferred second mortgage with shared appreciation | Purchase assistance loan for down payment and closing costs (amount varies by transaction) | Moderate income | Yes | Inside the City of Los Angeles only |
- HOP80 / HOP150 Home Ownership Program. 0% interest, deferred repayment with shared appreciation, due on sale/refinance/transfer or at 30 years. Applicants must contribute a minimum 1% down payment from their own funds and complete an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education seminar.
- Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) Program. Minimum credit score: 660 0% interest, deferred, shared-appreciation loan; due on sale, title transfer, first-mortgage payoff, or in 30 years.
- Moderate Income Purchase Assistance (MIPA) Program. Companion program to LIPA for moderate-income first-time buyers; Loan reservation dates are shared with LIPA on a scheduled calendar throughout 2026.
Income limits in Los Angeles County
Down payment programs here are keyed to HUD's income limits for Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA HUD Metro FMR Area (Los Angeles County) (fiscal year 2026): the area median family income is $108,100 and the 80% limit that most programs use is $133,250 for a four-person household. Limits scale with household size; each program page has the full table. HUD income limits
California statewide programs you can also use in Los Angeles County
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) (homebuyer programs page) runs 3 statewide programs open to buyers anywhere in California, with down payment help up to 3.5% of the loan (about $29,890 on a median-priced home) through MyHome Assistance Program. Most local programs above can be combined with a state first mortgage; check each program's pairing rule.
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyHome Assistance Program source | Deferred second loan | Up to the lesser of 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value (with a CalHFA FHA/Government first mortgage) or 3% (with a CalHFA Conventional first mortgage), for down payment and/or closing costs | Yes | n/a | Must meet CalHFA income limits for the program and county of purchase; |
| CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP) source | Deferred second loan | 2.00% or 3.00% of the CalPLUS first mortgage loan amount, for closing costs only | Yes | n/a | Must meet CalHFA income limits for the CalPLUS FHA or CalPLUS Conventional program |
| California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program source | Program | Up to 20% of the home purchase price for down payment or closing costs, not to exceed $150,000 | Yes | n/a | Combined household income must meet CalHFA Income Limits for the county of purchase; |
Los Angeles County closing costs that differ from the rest of California
Transfer tax: Countywide documentary transfer tax: $1.10 per $1,000 of value (all of LA County). Inside the City of Los Angeles, an additional city transfer tax applies: Base Tax of $2.25 per $500 (0.45%), PLUS Measure ULA tax of 4% on the portion of transactions between $5,400,000 and $10,900,000, or 5.5% on transactions of $10,900,000 or more (thresholds effective for closings after 6/30/2026, indexed annually). Other cities within the county may levy their own separate transfer taxes not captured here. Source
Recording the deed costs $100 and the mortgage $100. Fee schedule
Owner's title policy: seller (customary in Southern California)
recording_fee_deed/mortgage figure is the typical first-page total for LA County ($15 base recording fee + $75 Building Homes and Jobs Act/SB2 fee + $10 DA Fraud Fee, per a secondary summary of the Registrar-Recorder's fee schedule); add $3 per additional page.
See California closing costs, title insurance and who pays →
Frequently asked questions
What down payment assistance is available in Los Angeles County, CA?
HOP80 / HOP150 Home Ownership Program (Los Angeles County (unincorporated areas + 44 participating cities), up to $100,000); Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) Program (City of Los Angeles, up to $161,000); Moderate Income Purchase Assistance (MIPA) Program (City of Los Angeles). California statewide programs can be used here too.
What is the income limit for first-time buyer programs in Los Angeles County?
Most programs cap income at 80% of HUD's area median, which is $133,250 for a four-person household in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA HUD Metro FMR Area (Los Angeles County) (FY2026). Some programs allow up to 120% or 150% of median; each program page lists its own table by household size.
Is there a transfer tax in Los Angeles County?
Countywide documentary transfer tax: $1.10 per $1,000 of value (all of LA County). Inside the City of Los Angeles, an additional city transfer tax applies: Base Tax of $2.25 per $500 (0.45%), PLUS Measure ULA tax of 4% on the portion of transactions between $5,400,000 and $10,900,000, or 5.5% on transactions of $10,900,000 or more (thresholds effective for closings after 6/30/2026, indexed annually). Other cities within the county may levy their own separate transfer taxes not captured here.
What is the median home price in Los Angeles County?
About $982,000, per LA County Property Values Surpass $2.2 Trillion (2026 Assessment Roll). Down payment help of up to $161,000 covers roughly 16% of that price.
Official sources
- Los Angeles County (unincorporated areas + 44 participating cities): HOP80 / HOP150 Home Ownership Program
- City of Los Angeles: Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) Program
- City of Los Angeles: Moderate Income Purchase Assistance (MIPA) Program
- HUD income limits
- Los Angeles County transfer tax
- Los Angeles County recording fees
- LA County Property Values Surpass $2.2 Trillion (2026 Assessment Roll)
Los Angeles County figures last verified against official sources on September 11, 2026.
Other California counties
This is general information, not financial advice. Program funding, limits and terms change; confirm the current rules with the administering agency and your lender before you rely on them.
See down payment help in all covered counties