First Time Homebuyer – Program – Summary Chart
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 (for forgiveable loans for closing costs, the maximum income is 100% AMI)
Maximum Purchase Price: Attached $617,500 / Detached: $1,116,250 (Effective May 2025)
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.
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: $999,999
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.
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 (Effective September 2024): Attached: $698,000 / Detached: $698,000
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
(12 Participating cities and unincorporated areas – San Diego County and the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista)
Program Guidelines (Low-Income, 80% AMI)
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
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.
(6 Participating cities and unincorporated areas – San Diego County and the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway, Solana Beach)
Program Guidelines (Moderate-Income, 80% to 120% AMI)
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 (Effective September 2024): Attached: $698,000 / Detached: $698,000
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 25% 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: 3% Simple Interest
Income Limit: 80% of San Diego’s Area Median Income
Maximum Purchase Price (Effective September 2024): Attached: $698,000 / Detached: $698,000
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.
San Diego Foundation Access Granted Homebuyer Program
Available Assistance: Grant Program: This is a $40,000 grant funded by San Diego Foundation via LISC San Diego, alocal office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). There is no repayment requirement. Grants are limited to one per qualifying household.
Interest Rate: N/A (Grant Program)
Income Limit: 120% of San Diego’s Area Median Income
Maximum Purchase Price: No Limit
Additional Terms: Applicants/Grantee(s) must be:
- First-time homebuyer
- San Diego County resident currently living and buying in San Diego County
- Currently residing in a low or moderate census tract
- With a household income equal/below 120% Area Median Income
Hope Teacher’s Housing Grant Program
Available Assistance: Grant Program: During escrow, LISC San Diego provides $40,000 per family for the down payment. There is no repayment requirement
Interest Rate: N/A (Grant Program)
Income Limit: Must be under 160% of San Diego’s Area Median Income
Maximum Purchase Price: No Limit
Additional Terms:
- Teacher Qualification: Must be a certified educator.
- Residency & Employment: Must teach within the boundaries of San Diego City Council District 5.
- First-Time Homebuyer: Applicants must be a first-time homebuyer