🚨 URGENT — DREAM FOR ALL FUNDS DISAPPEAR IN DAYS
11
Days in 2023
2
Days in 2024
$0
Cost to prepare now
The only way to win is to be already pre-approved with a CalHFA-approved lender before the round opens. Get pre-approved now →
CalHFA Dream For All 2026 — 20% Down at 0% Interest: Approved Lenders & How to Get In Before Funds Run Out
California gives qualifying buyers up to 20% of the home price as a down payment loan at 0% interest. You only repay when you sell — and CalHFA takes a share of appreciation, not a monthly payment. 2024 funds were gone in 2 days. The only way to participate: be pre-approved before it opens. Get your CalHFA pre-approval now.
How Dream For All Works — The Math
💡 Example: $800,000 Home in Los Angeles
Your Pre-Approval Checklist — Do This NOW
You can't apply for Dream For All without being pre-approved by a CalHFA-approved lender. Do this before the next round opens:
Complete free homebuyer education course (required)
HUD-approved course — takes 6–8 hours online. Certificate required at application. Do this first — takes longest.
Connect with a CalHFA-approved lender
Not all lenders are CalHFA-approved. Use CalHFA's lender locator at calhfa.ca.gov or find approved lenders through national platforms.
Get your CalHFA pre-approval letter
Lender runs your income, credit, and DTI against CalHFA's guidelines. Must be complete before Dream For All round opens.
Verify income limits for your county
Income limits vary by county and household size. LA County: ~$180K for 4-person household. SF/Bay Area: up to $220K.
Subscribe to CalHFA email alerts
Go to calhfa.ca.gov and sign up for program announcements. They announce rounds via email days in advance.
Dream For All Backup Plans — If Funds Are Exhausted
CalHFA MyHome
3% or 3.5% down assistance. Always available — no lottery. Less money but consistent access.
Explore MyHome →FHA + DPA Programs
Stack a national DPA grant on FHA. Covers 3.5% down. Available in most California counties year-round.
FHA + DPA Options →HomeReady 3% Down
Fannie Mae 3% down conventional. No income limit in low-income tracts. No lottery, no waiting.
HomeReady Pre-Approval →The Lottery Favors the Prepared.
You can't apply in 2 days unless you're already pre-approved. Get your CalHFA pre-approval now — so when the round opens, you submit in minutes.
CalHFA Dream For All FAQ
What is CalHFA Dream For All and how does it work?
The CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan is a California state program that provides up to 20% of the home purchase price as a down payment loan — at 0% interest. How it works: CalHFA gives you a second loan for up to 20% of the purchase price. You use this 20% as your down payment on a conventional first mortgage. You pay NOTHING on the Dream For All loan monthly (0% interest, deferred payments). When you sell, refinance, or pay off the home, you repay the original loan amount PLUS a percentage of the home's appreciation. CalHFA gets 20% of the appreciation (their proportional share). Example: $800,000 home. Dream For All loan: $160,000 (20%). You put $0 down in cash. When you sell 10 years later for $1,100,000, CalHFA gets $160,000 (original) + 20% × $300,000 appreciation = $60,000. Total repayment: $220,000. You keep $1,100,000 − $220,000 − first mortgage payoff = your net equity.
When does CalHFA Dream For All 2026 open and how fast do funds run out?
CalHFA Dream For All funds historically run out within days of opening. Past rounds: 2023 Round 1: $300 million allocated — exhausted in 11 days. 2024 Round 2: $255 million allocated — exhausted in 2 days after lottery system introduction. 2024 had a lottery system replacing first-come-first-served. 2026 round: CalHFA typically announces new funding rounds in spring/summer. Subscribe to CalHFA email alerts at calhfa.ca.gov to be notified the moment a new round opens. To be ready: Get your CalHFA pre-approval BEFORE the round opens. Get matched with a CalHFA-approved lender now. Complete the required homebuyer education course (free, 8 hours). Have your income documentation ready. Because of the lottery system (2024+), being fast matters less than being prepared — but you still must apply during the open window (often just 1–2 weeks).
Who qualifies for CalHFA Dream For All?
CalHFA Dream For All eligibility requirements: First-time homebuyer: Must not have owned a home in the last 3 years. California resident purchasing in California. Income limits: Approximately 120–150% of Area Median Income (higher in high-cost counties). Example: LA County income limit ~$180,000 for a family of 4. Credit score: 660+ minimum (CalHFA-specific requirement). Homebuyer education: Must complete an 8-hour approved course before application. Property: Must be a single-family home, condo, or 1–4 unit property in California. Purchase price: Up to $1.1M in high-cost counties. CalHFA-approved lender: MUST use a CalHFA-approved lender — not just any bank. This is where your affiliate lender connection matters: confirm CalHFA approval status before recommending.
What are the alternatives to Dream For All if funds run out?
If Dream For All funds are exhausted (which happens fast), California has other programs: CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program: 3% or 3.5% down payment assistance (smaller, but consistently available). CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP): Covers closing costs via a 0% second loan. CalPLUS programs: Combine a first mortgage with a ZIP closing cost assistance loan. Local programs: Many California counties and cities have additional DPA programs. LA County, San Francisco, San Jose all have separate programs. FHA + State DPA: Even without CalHFA, national DPA programs cover the 3.5% FHA down payment in many California areas. HomeReady/Home Possible: 3% down conventional with no CalHFA lottery competition. The key message: Dream For All is extraordinary but competitive. Have a backup plan with a lender who can pivot you to MyHome or an FHA program if Dream For All funding is closed.
Related California & Down Payment Guides
Meet Sarah
Senior Mortgage Advisor & VA Loan Specialist
Sarah Mitchell brings over 12 years of mortgage industry expertise, specializing in VA loans and first-time homebuyer programs. As a certified NMLS professional, she has helped thousands of veterans and military families achieve homeownership through specialized loan programs. Her deep understanding of VA benefits and down payment assistance programs makes her a trusted advisor for service members transitioning to civilian life.
EXPERTISE:
KEY ACHIEVEMENT:
Helped 2,500+ veterans secure home loans