The California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan is BACK!

Are you dreaming of owning your first home in California but struggling to save up for that massive down payment? The wait is over. The California Dream For All (DFA) Shared Appreciation Loan registration portal is officially OPEN as of February 24, 2026.

This program is a game-changer for first-generation homebuyers, but you have to act fast—the portal closes Monday, March 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PST.

Here is everything you need to know about how much you can get and whether you qualify.

How Much Assistance Can You Get?

The Dream For All program provides significant financial backing to help you get into a home sooner.

Up to 20% Assistance: You can receive a loan for up to 20% of the home’s purchase price to be used for a down payment and/or closing costs.
Maximum Cap: The total assistance amount is capped at $150,000.
The Voucher System: Unlike previous years, this is not first-come, first-served. You must register for a voucher, and recipients will be selected through a randomized drawing.

Do You Qualify?

To ensure this program helps those who need it most, CalHFA has specific eligibility requirements:

First-Generation Homebuyer: At least one borrower must be a first-generation homebuyer. (This generally means your parents do not currently own a home in the U.S.).
First-Time Homebuyer: All borrowers on the loan must be first-time homebuyers.
Residency: At least one borrower must be a current resident of California.
Income Limits: Your combined household income must stay within the CalHFA Income Limits for the specific county where you are buying.

How “Shared Appreciation” Works

This isn’t a typical “set it and forget it” loan. It is a Shared Appreciation Loan, meaning:

You don’t make monthly payments on the assistance loan.
When you sell the home, transfer it, or pay off your first mortgage, you repay the original loan amount plus a share of the home’s increased value (appreciation).
If your income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), you may qualify for a reduced appreciation share (paying back only 15% of the appreciation instead of 20%).

Borrower is a moderate-income homebuyer

Dream For All provides a loan for 20% of the home purchase price.
The homeowner pays back the original loan amount plus 20% of any appreciation in the value of the home.

Borrower income less than or equal to 80% AMI using the HomeReady Lookup Tool

Reduced (0.75:1) program appreciation share
Program appreciation share is equal to 0.75 times the Shared Appreciation Loan Amount (i.e., the original principal amount) as a percentage of the home value
Dream For All provides a loan for 20% of the home purchase price.
The homeowner pays back the original loan amount plus 15% of any appreciation in the value of the home

Your 4-Step Action Plan

The window to apply is small. If you want a shot at this voucher, follow these steps immediately:

Get Pre-Approved: You must have a California Dream For All (DFA) Lender Pre-Approval Letter from a CalHFA-approved lender to even register for the drawing.
Take the Course: Complete the free, 1-hour DFA education course online. This is separate from the standard 8-hour homebuyer education course.
Gather Your Docs: You’ll need IDs and information regarding your parents (names, birth dates, and addresses) to prove first-generation status.
Register by March 16: Submit your information through the DFA Portal before the 5:00 p.m. deadline on March 16, 2026.

Ready to get started? At Mauricio Home Loans, we can help you navigate the pre-approval process and ensure you have the right documentation ready for the registration portal.