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
- County of San Diego
- City of Chula Vista
- City of El Cajon
| City of San Diego Middle-Income (80% to 150% AMI) Program (Zip Codes beginning with 921) | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | $50,000 Total Assistance: $40,000 deferred, down-payment assistance loan + $10,000 closing costs assistance grant (grant forgiven at end of 3 years if the property remains owner-occupied) |
| Interest Rate | 4% Simple Interest |
| Income Limit | 80 – 150% of San Diego’s Area Median Income – See Program Guidelines |
| Maximum Purchase Price | $1,250,000 |
| Funding Availability (as of February 1, 2026) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines |
| Additional Terms | The Loan is deferred with no monthly payments required during years 1 through 5. Beginning in year 6, the outstanding principal and interest will be converted to an amortized loan with fixed monthly payments for a period of 120 months. There is no prepayment penalty, and payments can be made at any time. |
| City of San Diego Low-Income (<80% AMI) Program (ZIP Codes beginning with 921) | |
|---|---|
| Available Assistance | Deferred-payment Loan for down payment: Up to 19% of the purchase price. Not to exceed $125,000. 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 |
| Maximum Purchase Price | Attached : $883,025 Detached: $883,025 Effective December 2025 |
| Funding Availability (as of February 1, 2026) |
No Funding 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 1 percent, and maximum down payment of 20 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
| 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 22% 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: $698,000 Detached: $698,000 Effective September 2024 |
| Funding Availability (as of February 1, 2026) |
No Funding 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 Moderate-Income (80% to 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 | 80% – 120% of San Diego’s Area Median Income |
| Maximum Purchase Price | The maximum purchase price is the most recent median sales price for single-family homes / condominiums, in San Diego County, posted at the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) website at: https://www.car.org/en/marketdata/data/countysalesactivity |
| Funding Availability (as of February 1, 2026) |
Funds Available |
| Additional Information | Program Guidelines (Moderate-Income, 80% to 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: $807,500 Detached: $807,500 Effective October 2025 |
| Funding Availability (as of February 1, 2026) |
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 30% of the purchase price—not to exceed $170,000 for single-family homes and townhomes OR $120,000 for condominiums—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: $698,000 Detached: $698,000 Effective September 2024 |
| Funding Availability (as of February 1, 2026) |
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 2 percent. Applicants also must attend a homebuyer education class and pre-purchase counseling. |
How to submit a First Time Homebuyer Assistance Application
If you are a current participating loan officer and need your log-in credentials, please email fthb@sdhc.org. If you are new to the program, see the Lender/Loan Officer Participation Requirements below.
- Complete the applicable application package:
City of San Diego Program Application
County of San Diego Program Application
City of Chula Vista Program Application
City of El Cajon Program Application - Log-in to the FTHB Lender Portal
First-Time Homebuyer Lender Portal - Follow the instructions in the Lender Portal Submission Guide
- Review the Lender Portal Best Practices & How-To Guide
Prior to submitting loan packages for underwriting, lenders should check this website for updates on loan documents, available funds or program changes.
Lender/Loan Officer Participation Requirements
Loan Officer Training Requirement: Mortgage Loan Officers (MLO) or mortgage brokers who would like to participate in the San Diego Housing Commission First-Time Homebuyer Programs, including the City of San Diego, County of San Diego, City of Chula Vista and City of El Cajon must complete the required training annually by their anniversary date and pay the training fee ($60.00 + Eventbrite processing fees). A $30 reinstatement fee will be applicable if the MLO or mortgage broker’s annual training lapses.
Lender Participation Agreement Requirement: In addition to the individual annual training, MLOs or mortgage brokers must work for an approved Participating Lender. Lenders are required to enter into a Lender Participation Agreement and pay an annual fee ($700). The Lender Participation Agreements are valid July 1 – June 30th each year. The fee for the first year will be prorated from the month your company onboards until the upcoming June. If your company signs up between January and June, your company will pay the prorated fee plus the full fee for the following year. Only the originating lender must have a Lender Participation Agreement with SDHC, wholesale lenders are not required to enter into an agreement with SDHC.
How to sign-up as a Participating Lender:
- E-Mail a completed and signed Lender Participation Agreement to FTHB@sdhc.org
- Mail the Lender Participation Fee. We accept check or money order. Please be sure the check or money order includes your company name.Send payment to:
San Diego Housing Commission
Attention: FTHB Program
1122 Broadway #300
San Diego, CA 92101
Forms & Documents
City of San Diego Guidelines (Low-Income, <80% AMI)
City of San Diego Guidelines (Middle-Income, 80% to 150% AMI)
County of San Diego Guidelines (Low-Income, 80% AMI)
County of San Diego Guidelines (Moderate-Income, 80% to 120% AMI)
City of Chula Vista Guidelines
