Homeownership Advisor Available for Households of Color
Call (619) 578-7788
Email homeownership@sdhc.org
Households of color 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 contact the San Diego Housing Commission’s (SDHC) Homeownership Advisor.
The Homeownership Advisor is available to answer questions, assess financial preparedness and, as needed, connect callers with organizations that provide the types of services they need to become ready to buy a home. They can assist households interested in SDHC’s pilot program for middle-income first-time homebuyers of color as well as those interested in SDHC’s first-time homebuyer programs for low-income families.
Pilot Program for Homebuyers of Color
A San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) pilot program launched in June 2023 to help middle-income first-time homebuyers of color achieve the dream of homeownership in San Diego. Additional program details and terms are provided below on this page. Click here.
How to Apply – Watch the Video
Information for Homebuyers
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) offers deferred-payment loans and homeownership grants to help low- and moderate-income families buy their first homes.
The SDHC First-Time Homebuyer 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 Medan Income may qualify for a deferred-payment, second trust deed loan of up to 22 percent of the purchase price (based on the buyer’s need), with the interest rate set at 3 percent.
Eligible Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) buyers earning between 80 percent and 150 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income may qualify for either $40,000 total assistance ($20,000 deferred, down-payment loan and $20,000 closing cost assistance grant) OR $20,000 in total assistance as a grant toward the down payment and closing costs.
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.
Since 1988, SDHC has helped more than 6,000 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.
- City of San Diego
- County of San Diego
- 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.
| City of San Diego Low-Income (<80% AMI) Program (ZIP Codes beginning with 921) | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan for down payment: Up to 22% of the purchase price Grant for closing costs (forgiven): 4% of the purchase price up to $10,000 |
| Interest Rate | 3% Simple Interest |
| Income Limit | 80% of San Diego’s Area Median Income (For forgivable loans for closing costs, the maximum income is 100% of Area Median Income.) |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Attached: $603,250 Detached: $1,030,750 Effective December 2022 |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines |
| Additional Terms | No payments are required for 30 years, unless the owner sells or no longer occupies the home as a primary residence, at which time the principal balance, including accrued interest, must be repaid.
To qualify, the buyer must obtain a fixed-rate first trust deed loan; have adequate income, a good credit rating; and provide a minimum down payment of 3 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
| City of San Diego (ZIP Codes beginning with 921) Middle-Income, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Pilot Program | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | $40,000 Total Assistance: $20,000 deferred, down-payment assistance loan + $20,000 closing costs assistance grant (grant forgiven at close of escrow)
OR $20,000 Total Assistance: Grant for down payment and/or closing costs (grant forgiven at close of escrow) |
| Interest Rate | 1.5% Simple Interest |
| Income Limit | 80% – 150% of San Diego’s Area Median Income |
| Maximum Purchase Price | $1,250,000 |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines |
| Additional Terms | The Loan is deferred with no monthly payments required for years 1 through 7. Beginning in year 8, the outstanding principal and interest will be converted to an amortized loan with fixed monthly payments for a period of 96 months. There is no prepayment penalty, and payments can be made at any time. |
| County of San Diego Low-Income (<80% AMI) Program (12 participating cities and unincorporated areas – See Program Guidelines for specific cities) | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan for down payment: Up to 17% of the purchase price Loan for closing costs: 4% of the purchase price up to $10,000 |
| Interest Rate | 3% Simple Interest |
| Income Limit | 80% of San Diego’s Area Median Income |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Attached: $676,000 Detached: $676,000 Effective July 2023 |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines (Low-Income, 80% AMI) |
| Additional Terms | No payments are required for 30 years, unless the owner sells or no longer occupies the home as a primary residence, at which time the principal balance, including accrued interest, must be repaid.
To qualify, the buyer must obtain a fixed-rate first trust deed loan; have adequate income, a good credit rating; and provide a minimum down payment of 3 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
| County of San Diego Middle-Income (80% – 120% AMI) Program (6 participating cities and unincorporated areas – See Program Guidelines for specific cities) | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan for down payment: Up to 17% of the purchase price |
| Interest Rate | 3% Simple Interest |
| Income Limit | 120% of San Diego’s Area Median Income |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Current Median Sales Price as listed on the California Association of Realtors Website To access the median sales price on the C.A.R. website, select the links to the SFH Sales & Price or CDO Sales & Price. Please note C.A.R. updates the median sales price each month. |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines (Middle-Income, 80% – 120% AMI) |
| Additional Terms | No payments are required for 30 years, unless the owner sells or no longer occupies the home as a primary residence, at which time the principal balance, including accrued interest, must be repaid.
To qualify, the buyer must obtain a fixed-rate first trust deed loan; have adequate income, a good credit rating; and provide a minimum down payment of 3 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
| City of Chula Vista | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan: Up to 22% of the purchase price—not to exceed $120,000—for down payment and closing costs |
| Interest Rate | 3% Simple Interest |
| Income Limit | 80% of San Diego’s Area Median Income |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Attached: $570,000 Detached: $826,500 Effective July 2022 |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines |
| Additional Terms | No payments are required for 30 years, unless the owner sells or no longer occupies the home as a primary residence, at which time the principal balance, including accrued interest, must be repaid.
To qualify, the buyer must obtain a fixed-rate first trust deed loan; have adequate income, a good credit rating; and provide a minimum down payment of 3 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
| City of El Cajon | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan: Up to 22% of the purchase price—not to exceed $150,000 for single-family homes and townhomes OR $100,000 for condominiums—for down payment and closing costs |
| Interest Rate | Shared Equity (see Program Guidelines) |
| Income Limit | 80% of San Diego’s Area Median Income |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Attached: $444,600 Detached: $760,000 Effective July 2023 |
| Funding Availability (as of December 1, 2022) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines |
| Additional Terms | No payments are required for 30 years, unless the owner sells or no longer occupies the home as a primary residence, at which time the principal balance, including accrued interest, must be repaid.
To qualify, the buyer must obtain a fixed-rate first trust deed loan; have adequate income, a good credit rating; and provide a minimum down payment of 3 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
Forms & Documents
City of San Diego Guidelines (Low-Income, <80% AMI)
City of San Diego Guidelines (BIPOC Middle-Income, 80% – 150% AMI)
County of San Diego Guidelines (Low-Income, 80% AMI)
County of San Diego Guidelines (Middle-Income, 80% – 120% AMI)
City of Chula Vista Guidelines
