Program terms change. Check the official pages linked below before you rely on any number here.
LIPA (City of Los Angeles)
| 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Maximum help | $161,000 for down payment, closing costs and purchase |
| Loan terms | 0% interest, no monthly payments, shared appreciation, due on sale, transfer, refinance of the first loan or after 30 years |
| Maximum purchase price | $956,465 |
| Income limit (80% AMI) | $93,300 (1 person) to $133,250 (4 people) |
| Credit score | Middle FICO of at least 660 |
| Your own money | At least 1% of the price |
| Other requirements | No property owned in the last 3 years; 8-hour homebuyer class; home must be your main residence in the City of LA |
Funding is limited, so LAHD releases loan reservations on set dates. The remaining 2026 dates listed are November 18 (15 reservations). Start with a participating lender, who reserves the funds for you.
There’s also MIPA, a similar program for moderate-income buyers. See the LAHD page for its limits.
CalHFA Dream For All (California)
- Up to 20% of the price or appraised value for a down payment, as a shared appreciation loan.
- For first-generation homebuyers, with income limits (about $168,000 in Los Angeles County in 2026).
- Applicants are chosen by random selection; at least 10% of funding goes to buyers in qualified census tracts.
- The 2026 round accepted applications February 24 to March 16, with $150 to $200 million expected. Winners had 90 days to find a home.
How to use these with a new-build home
- Talk to a lender who participates in the programs before you reserve a home.
- Check the price limit against the home you want.
- Line up the timing: program reservations and lottery windows don’t wait for construction schedules, so ask your lender how long a reservation holds.
Join our interest list to see prices early, or read how buying a new-build home works.
Questions people ask
Who counts as a first-time buyer for LIPA?
Someone who hasn't owned any real property in the last three years.
What's the income limit for LIPA?
80% of area median income: in 2026, $93,300 for one person, $133,250 for a household of four.
Can I use LIPA on a new-build home?
LIPA covers one-unit homes in the City of Los Angeles, including single-family homes and townhomes, under the price limit. Confirm eligibility for a specific home with a participating lender.
When does Dream For All open again?
CalHFA announces each round. The 2026 round closed March 16. Watch calhfa.ca.gov for the next one.