Buy a Home in
in California
Without a Large Down Payment
2026 Dream for All Lottery Is Back — For a Limited Time
Receive $150,000 in assistance from the State of California
- California Dream for All Program
- If you're a first-time homebuyer in California, this may be your opportunity to purchase a home with up to 20% down payment and closing costs assistance — up to $150,000.
Eligibility Requirements
First-Time Homebuyer
You may qualify if you are a first-time homebuyer (no homeownership in the past 3 years), have not been on title to a home in the past 7 years, and at least one borrower is both a California resident and a first-generation homebuyer.
Learn MoreProof of Status
- U.S. Citizen
An individual who has U.S. citizenship by birth or naturalization, or a U.S. national eligible for federal benefits
- U.S. Permanent Resident
A Green Card holder or a person granted asylum or refugee status
- Required Documents
- Government ID: Passports, Driver’s License, State-issued ID, Military ID, Permanent Residence Cards, Visas or Employment Authorization Documents
- Proof of Current Address: Government ID, Utility Bill, Cell Phone Bill, Insurance Bill, Voter Registration or Car Registration
- U.S. Citizen
Below the County Income Limit
Annual income must be below 120% of the Area Median Income of the region where you intend to purchase a home.
- Los Angeles County: $168,000
- Orange County: $216,000
- Riverside County: $164,000
- San Bernardino County: $164,000
To borrow the remaining amount
W-2 for the Past 2 Years
You must have current income, and W-2 forms for 2024 and 2025 are required for income verification.
If the 2025 W-2 has not yet been issued, you may substitute it with 2023 and 2024 W-2 forms plus a 2025 YTD pay stub.Credit Score of 680 or Higher
Credit scores use the FICO scores from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, and the median of the three scores will be used.
If your credit score is below 680, you are not eligible. Scores between 680–699 allow up to 45% DTI, and 700 or above allow up to 50% DTI.Total DTI Ratio of 50% or Less
The Debt to Income (DTI) ratio cannot exceed 50%.
Assuming no other debt,
If you borrow $500,000 at an annual interest rate of 5.250%
With a 30-year fixed loan:- Estimated monthly principal and interest (P&I): approximately $2,760
- Based on the maximum allowable DTI of 50%
The borrower’s monthly income must exceed approximately $5,500.
Learn More
(Based on a credit score of 700 or higher; property tax, homeowner’s insurance, HOA fees, and other related costs may be additionally considered.)
If your credit score is between 680–699, the maximum DTI is 45%.
Assistance Amount
- Cal HFA (California Housing Finance Agency) provides funds that can be used for the down payment.
- Assistance is provided up to 20% of the home price, with a maximum limit of $150,000.
If the home price is $1,000,000, then what?
Application Process
Dream for All through Loaning AI
Obtain a Pre-Approval Letter
- For those purchasing their first home
- With valid U.S. status
- Who meet the county income requirements
info@loaning.ai is the email address where you can submit the following documents.
- Income verification documents (W2, 1099, Paystub, etc.)
- Credit score document (Credit Report - FICO Score)
You can receive a credit report worth $84 for free through Loaning.ai.
Get your free credit report
After document review and approval
We will issue a Lender Pre-Approval Letter.
Dream for All
Complete the online education program
(Approximately 1 hour)
https://www.calhfadreamforall.com is the registration site, and after registering, you must complete the Dream for All education course.
Dream for All
Registration for the lottery
- Application period
- February 24, 2026 – March 16, 2026
- Application website
- Cal HFA The Registration Portal
- Required documents
- Lender Pre-Approval Letter (provided by Loaning.ai)
- ID (Passport, Driver’s License, etc.)
- Proof of current address (Government-issued ID, Utility bill, etc.)
Dream for All
Check voucher lottery results
The official announcement schedule has not yet been released. Based on the 2024 program, results are expected to be announced sequentially after the March 16 application deadline.
Receive up to $150,000 in assistance
Purchase a home
Those selected through the lottery must find a home, sign a contract, and complete the interest rate lock-in process within 90 days after receiving the voucher.
Loaning.aiIs operating in California, Texas, Georgia, Nevada, and Washington
A licensed U.S. mortgage lender A lender company that has obtained proper licensing.
With competitive rates
Proceed with the California Dream for All program.