San Diego Housing Commission Information

First Time Home Buyer Grants and Assistance Programs

Thinking about buyng a new home?

We're here for you. Our San Diego Real Estate and Housing Grant Specialists are trained in first time home buying programs and options available to make sure you're informed and ready before making the biggest investment of your life.

Assistance Programs Available for the Purchase of a First Home

The following housing assistance programs can be used to purchase a home anywhere in the City of San Diego (zip code must begin with 921). Applicants (except for “For-Sale Affordable Homes”) must be first-time home buyers, defined as not having owned real estate in the past three years. All programs are subject to Area Median Income restrictions and have maximum purchase price limits.

City of San Diego
Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program
4% of purchase price- up to $15,000

BUYERS EARNINGS 80% OR LESS OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME

The San Diego Housing Commission offers recoverable grants to help pay the homebuyer’s closing costs. The funds can be used to pay the actual closing costs incurred by the buyer that are not paid by seller concessions or other subsidies. The grant is available to eligible applicants who are purchasing a new or resale home within the City of San Diego.

Maximum Income Limits

Persons	Maximum Income	Persons	Maximum Income
1	$44,000	5	$67,850
2	$50,250	6	$72,850
3	$56,550	7	$77,900
4	$62,800	8	$82,900

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

BUYERS EARNINGS 100% OR LESS OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME

Closing Cost Assistance Grants:

Total up to 4% of the purchase price of the home (not to exceed $15,000). NOTE: Maximum purchase price or appraised value is currently $451,250 for single family homes, town homes and condominiums.

Must be paid back, plus 5% interest, if home is sold, refinanced or not owner occupied within first six years.

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Closing Cost Assistance Grants:

Total up to 4% of the purchase price of the home (not to exceed $10,000). NOTE: Maximum purchase price or appraised value is currently $451,250 for single family homes, town homes and condominiums.

Must be paid back, plus 5% interest, if home is sold, refinanced or not owner occupied within first six years.

Application fee required from the buyer. $50 fee if applied for in conjunction with a deferred loan; $100 if applied for with an MCC; $200 for a grant application only.

Take 5 – 7 working days to process.

To Qualify, Grant Recipients Must:

Work with a lender participating in the program. The lender will provide the first mortgage and apply on the buyer’s behalf for the grant from the Housing Commission.

First trust deed loan must a 30-year fixed rate loan.

Provide the first mortgage lender with various documentation, including recent paystubs and copies of three prior years’ tax returns before applying for the grant.

Assets can not exceed $10,000 for the first household member and $500 per each additional household member after escrow closing.

Be first-time homebuyers (no ownership in a principal residence within the last three years).

Sign a Memorandum of Lien which describes the terms of the grant.

Household income not to exceed 100% area median income.

Maximum Income Limits

Earn:

Persons Maximum Income Persons Maximum Income

1 $52,850 5 $81,550

2 $60,400 6 $87,600

3 $67,950 7 $93,600

4 $75,500 8 $99,650