Down Payment Assistance in California 2026: What’s Still Available After Dream For All Closed

If you have been waiting on the sidelines for down payment help, you already know the news: California’s flagship Dream For All program closed its 2026 application window on March 16, and no new applications are being accepted. For a lot of would-be buyers across Ventura County and the San Fernando Valley, that felt like the door slamming shut. However, the good news is that Dream For All was never the only game in town. There is still strong down payment assistance California 2026 buyers can tap right now — grants, deferred loans, and zero-interest closing-cost help that most people have never heard of.

I’m Zac Wasserman, a licensed REALTOR® with RE/MAX ONE here in Ventura County, and I walk buyers through these programs all the time. So let’s clear up the confusion. Below, I’ll break down exactly what closed, what’s still open, how much money you can actually get, and how to qualify — without the jargon.

Dream For All update

What Happened to Dream For All?

First, let’s address the program everyone is asking about. The California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan was the most generous down payment program the state has ever offered. It provided up to 20% of a home’s purchase price, capped at $150,000, with no monthly payments, in exchange for the state sharing in a portion of the home’s future appreciation.

Because demand always far outstripped funding, CalHFA switched to a lottery-style system. For 2026, the pre-registration portal opened on February 24 and closed on March 16, 2026. After that date, no new applications could be started or submitted. CalHFA has been issuing vouchers to selected applicants through a randomized drawing, and that process is expected to continue until funds run out, likely by the end of 2026.

CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program

The MyHome Assistance Program is CalHFA’s workhorse down payment program, and unlike Dream For All, it is generally available throughout the year. It offers a deferred-payment “silent second” loan to help cover your down payment or closing costs.

Specifically, MyHome provides up to 3.5% of the purchase price, or appraised value, whichever is lower, when paired with a CalHFA FHA loan, or up to 3% when paired with a CalHFA conventional loan. The phrase “silent second” matters here: there are no monthly payments on this loan. Instead, you repay it only when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage. As a result, your monthly housing cost stays based on your primary mortgage alone.

To qualify, you generally must be a first-time homebuyer, meaning you have not owned a home in the past three years, occupy the home as your primary residence, complete a homebuyer education course, and meet CalHFA’s income limits for your county. Because MyHome must be combined with a CalHFA first mortgage, you will work through a CalHFA-approved loan officer rather than applying directly with the state.

Closing-cost strategy

CalPLUS + ZIP: Help With Your Closing Costs

Down payments get all the attention, but closing costs in Ventura County can blindside first-time buyers. That is where the CalHFA CalPLUS loan paired with the Zero Interest Program, commonly called ZIP, comes in.

CalPLUS is a CalHFA first mortgage with a slightly higher fixed interest rate than the standard product, and in exchange it bundles in extra assistance. The ZIP portion is a deferred-payment loan with a 0% interest rate, used specifically for closing costs.

Depending on the option selected, ZIP can cover roughly 2% to 3% of the loan amount. Furthermore, CalPLUS with ZIP can often stack with MyHome, allowing qualified buyers to address both their down payment and closing costs at the same time.

GSFA Platinum and Golden Opportunities: Grants You Don’t Repay

If you are not a first-time buyer — or you simply want the chance at money you never have to pay back — the Golden State Finance Authority deserves a hard look. GSFA runs two programs that, importantly, have no first-time homebuyer requirement at all. You can own a home today and still qualify, as long as the new property will be your primary residence.

To put real numbers on it, 5% assistance on a $600,000 loan is roughly $30,000 toward your down payment and closing costs. GSFA programs work with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional loans, generally require a 640 credit score for Platinum, and allow debt-to-income ratios up to 50% in many cases.

For Ventura County, income eligibility currently extends to roughly $259,000 — far higher than many buyers assume. One timing note worth flagging: the broadest version of GSFA’s Platinum “Select” benefit runs through June 30, 2026, so buyers considering it should ask a participating lender about the current terms immediately.

Low- and No-Down Loan Options: FHA, VA and USDA

Sometimes the best “assistance” is simply a loan that does not demand 20% down in the first place. Three loan types do exactly that, and each may pair with the assistance programs above.

Consequently, between a low-down first mortgage and a down payment assistance program, many buyers can reach the closing table with far less cash than they originally expected.

Is Down Payment Assistance Worth It?

For most buyers who are otherwise mortgage-ready but short on cash, the answer is a clear yes. These programs can be the difference between buying this year and waiting another two or three years to save.

That said, there are trade-offs to weigh. A repayable second loan adds to what you owe, deferred loans get paid back at sale, and CalPLUS carries a slightly higher first-mortgage rate in exchange for the bundled help.

The smartest approach is to compare the all-in cost of each option against waiting and saving. Buying sooner with assistance can make sense, but it is a personal math problem. If you are still deciding on timing overall, it is worth reading whether now is a good time to buy a home in Ventura County before you commit.

Get a personalized assistance plan

Find Out Which Programs Fit Your Budget Before You Start Touring

Zac can help you connect with an experienced assistance-program lender, compare your likely cash-to-close options and build a realistic Ventura County home search.

Ready to move forward?

Ready to Find Your Down Payment Help?

Dream For All closing does not mean your homeownership plans are over — far from it. Between CalHFA MyHome, CalPLUS with ZIP, GSFA Platinum, Golden Opportunities and local Ventura County resources, there is real down payment assistance California 2026 buyers can still use this year.

That is exactly what I help buyers do every day. Contact Zac Wasserman at RE/MAX ONE to identify the programs that may fit your situation and map a practical path to the closing table.

Zac Wasserman, REALTOR® · RE/MAX ONE · CA DRE #02210760