High Cost Area Purchase Assistance Program (HiCAP)

Through HiCAP, CalHFA helps make homeownership a possibility for first-time homebuyers in some of California's higher cost counties. This program is intended for first-time homebuyers who meet specified low and moderate income limits.

How The Program Works

The HiCAP provides a deferred-payment second loan of the lesser of 4% of the sales price or appraised value to be used for down payment assistance and is only available when combined with a CalHFA Conventional first mortgage loan program (not available with an FHA-insured first mortgage loan).

Program Elements

Requirements

Details and Reference Sources

First-Time Homebuyer

Borrower must be a first-time homebuyer purchasing a primary residence intended for owner-occupancy.

Income Limits

Refer to CalHFA’s income limits established for the county in which the borrower is purchasing.

Sales Price Limits

Refer to CalHFA’s sales price limits established for the county in which the borrower is purchasing.

Citizenship

Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien or other qualified alien.

Property Eligibility

  • Single family, one unit residence, including condo/PUD.
  • Manufactured housing must meet eligibility requirements.
  • Property must be located in Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles (Except Palmdale/Lancaster Areas), Marin, Monterey, Napa, Orange, San Benito, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Ventura counties.

Available Through Approved Lenders

Refer to CalHFA’s approved lender list for a lender in your area.

Other Requirements

Must qualify for and meet the requirements of the CalHFA first mortgage loan, the lender, and the mortgage insurer/guarantor. Other program requirements may apply; please contact an approved lender for more details.

For More Information

To learn more about HiCAP, contact us at :

CalHFA Homeownership Division
P.O. Box 4034 , Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: 877.9.CalHFA
Email: homeownership@calhfa.ca.gov

Homebuyers interested in applying for financing should contact one of CalHFA's approved lenders.

CalHFA does not lend money directly to consumers. CalHFA works through and uses approved private lenders to qualify consumers and to make all mortgage loans. CalHFA purchases closed loans that meet CalHFA's requirements. The fees consumers pay could be different depending on the lender and the program. View the sample Truth in Lending disclosure here.