San Diego County, CA First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Down Payment Help
San Diego County buyers can apply to 5 local down payment programs, with help up to $125,000 through SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Low-Income 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 San Diego County
These are run by City of San Diego (ZIP codes beginning with 921), County of San Diego (unincorporated areas + Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Coronado, Lemon Grove, Poway, Solana Beach, plus HOME Consortium cities Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Mesa, San Marcos, Santee, Vista), County of San Diego (6 participating cities + unincorporated areas, moderate-income tier), City of Chula Vista, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Low-Income Program City of San Diego (ZIP codes beginning with 921) (San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), administering City of San Diego funds) · source | deferred second trust deed loan + closing cost grant | Deferred loan up to 17% of purchase price (not to exceed $125,000) plus a forgivable grant for closing costs of 4% of purchase price up to $10,000 | At or below 80% of San Diego's Area Median Income | Yes | City of San Diego only (ZIP codes beginning with 921) |
| SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Middle-Income Program City of San Diego (ZIP codes beginning with 921) (San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), funded by a Wells Fargo Foundation grant) · source | deferred down-payment loan + closing cost grant | $40,000 deferred down-payment assistance loan + $10,000 closing costs assistance grant ($50,000 total) | 80% to 150% of San Diego's Area Median Income | Yes | City of San Diego only (ZIP codes beginning with 921) |
| Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance (DCCA) / CalHome Program County of San Diego (unincorporated areas + Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Coronado, Lemon Grove, Poway, Solana Beach, plus HOME Consortium cities Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Mesa, San Marcos, Santee, Vista) (San Diego County Department of Housing and Community Development Services (HCDS), administered by SDHC) · source | deferred second trust deed loan + closing cost assistance | Deferred loan up to 22% of purchase price for down payment, plus 4% (up to $10,000) for closing costs | At or below 80% of San Diego County Area Median Income | Yes | Unincorporated San Diego County or one of 12 participating cities (see program list) |
| County of San Diego Moderate-Income (80% to 120% AMI) Program County of San Diego (6 participating cities + unincorporated areas, moderate-income tier) (San Diego County Department of Housing and Community Development Services (HCDS), administered by SDHC) · source | deferred second trust deed loan | Deferred loan for down payment up to 17% of purchase price | 80% to 120% of San Diego's Area Median Income | Yes | 6 participating cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego County (see County Program Areas) |
| City of Chula Vista First-Time Homebuyer Program City of Chula Vista (City of Chula Vista, administered by SDHC) · source | deferred second trust deed loan | Deferred loan up to 22% of purchase price, not to exceed $120,000, for down payment and closing costs | At or below 80% of San Diego's Area Median Income | Yes | Inside Chula Vista city limits |
- SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Low-Income Program. 3% simple interest, no payments for 30 years unless sold/refinanced/vacated. Minimum 3% down payment from buyer, maximum 20% down payment. Maximum purchase price $883,025 (effective December 2025).
- SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Middle-Income Program. 4% simple interest; grant portion forgiven at end of 3 years if property remains owner-occupied. No monthly payments years 1-5; converts to an amortized loan with fixed payments over 120 months starting year 6. Maximum purchase price $1,250,000.
- Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance (DCCA) / CalHome Program. 3% simple interest, no payments until refinance/sale/payoff/vacancy. Minimum 3% buyer contribution. Purchase price may not exceed $743,000 (effective June 1, 2026), subject to periodic adjustment. Requires CalHome/HUD-approved homebuyer education.
- County of San Diego Moderate-Income (80% to 120% AMI) Program. 3% simple interest, no payments for 30 years unless sold/refinanced/vacated. Minimum 3% down payment. Maximum purchase price tied to the most recent C.A.R. median sales price for San Diego County.
- City of Chula Vista First-Time Homebuyer Program. 3% simple interest, no payments for 30 years unless sold/refinanced/vacated. Minimum 3% down payment. Maximum purchase price $807,500 (effective October 2025).
Income limits in San Diego County
Down payment programs here are keyed to HUD's income limits for San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA (San Diego County) (fiscal year 2026): the area median family income is $130,900 and the 80% limit that most programs use is $139,900 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 San Diego 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; |
San Diego County closing costs that differ from the rest of California
Transfer tax: Countywide documentary transfer tax: $0.55 per $500 (approximately $1.10 per $1,000) of property value, on conveyances over $100, applies throughout San Diego County including the City of San Diego. No additional citywide transfer tax was identified for the City of San Diego itself; some other cities in the county may levy their own additional transfer tax not captured here. Source
Owner's title policy: seller (customary in Southern California)
Recording fee figures not captured this pass - the County Recorder/Clerk's fee schedule PDF was located but not read in full; official URL is recorded above for follow-up.
See California closing costs, title insurance and who pays →
Frequently asked questions
What down payment assistance is available in San Diego County, CA?
SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Low-Income Program (City of San Diego (ZIP codes beginning with 921), up to $125,000); SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Middle-Income Program (City of San Diego (ZIP codes beginning with 921), up to $50,000); Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance (DCCA) / CalHome Program (County of San Diego (unincorporated areas + Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Coronado, Lemon Grove, Poway, Solana Beach, plus HOME Consortium cities Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Mesa, San Marcos, Santee, Vista), up to $10,000); County of San Diego Moderate-Income (80% to 120% AMI) Program (County of San Diego (6 participating cities + unincorporated areas, moderate-income tier), up to 17%); City of Chula Vista First-Time Homebuyer Program (City of Chula Vista, up to $120,000). California statewide programs can be used here too.
What is the income limit for first-time buyer programs in San Diego County?
Most programs cap income at 80% of HUD's area median, which is $139,900 for a four-person household in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA (San Diego 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 San Diego County?
Countywide documentary transfer tax: $0.55 per $500 (approximately $1.10 per $1,000) of property value, on conveyances over $100, applies throughout San Diego County including the City of San Diego. No additional citywide transfer tax was identified for the City of San Diego itself; some other cities in the county may levy their own additional transfer tax not captured here.
Official sources
- City of San Diego (ZIP codes beginning with 921): SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Low-Income Program
- County of San Diego (unincorporated areas + Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Coronado, Lemon Grove, Poway, Solana Beach, plus HOME Consortium cities Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Mesa, San Marcos, Santee, Vista): Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance (DCCA) / CalHome Program
- HUD income limits
- San Diego County transfer tax
- San Diego County recording fees
San Diego 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