Major Disaster Declarations in California and CalHFA Single Family Loan Programs
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) periodically declares Major Disasters in California on their website with the mission of helping people, before, during and after disasters.
How are CalHFA Single Family Loan Programs designed to help?
CalHFA will waive its first-time homebuyer requirement as detailed in its Program Bulletin 2018-10 on any of its Single Family loan programs for borrowers impacted by a disaster in California that has been declared a Major Disaster by FEMA.
Those borrowers whose owner-occupied home was destroyed or declared uninhabitable may apply for CalHFA first mortgage programs, including the MyHome Assistance Program or Zero Interest Program (ZIP) per program handbook guidelines for up to three (3) years after the disaster declaration date.
CalHFA also offers the Federal Housing Administration’s Section 203(h) program with CalHFA FHA mortgage loans. Presidentially declared major disaster victims in California who take advantage of this program within one year of the major disaster can get additional assistance for down payment and/or closing costs and reach up to 103.5% financing to purchase a home.
What are the Current Designated Major Disasters?
| FEMA declared Major Disaster | Designated Counties | Declaration Date |
|---|---|---|
| DR-4569-CA California Wildfires | All Counties | 10/16/2020 |
| DR-4558-CA California Wildfires | All Counties | 8/22/2020 |
| DR-4434 California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | All Counties | 5/17/2019 |
| DR-4431 California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | All Counties | 5/1/2019 |
| DR-4425 Soboba Band Luiseno Indians Severe Storms And Flooding | Designated Areas in the Soboba Band Luiseņo Indians | 4/8/2019 |
| DR-4423 Cahuilla Band of Indians Severe Storms And Flooding | Designated Areas in the Cahuilla Reservation | 3/28/2019 |
| DR-4422 La Jolla Band of Luiseņo Indians Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Designated Areas of the La Jolla Band of Luiseņo Indians | 3/26/2019 |
| DR-4407 California Wildfires | Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura | 11/12/2018 |
| DR-4382 California Wildfire and High Winds | Shasta | 8/4/2018 |
Loan Scenario Calculator
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News & Updates
Latest Bulletins
Program Bulletin #2021-03 - MyHome Interest Rate Decreases to 1.00%
Program Bulletin #2021-02 - CalHFA to offer the Section 203(h) program for California Disaster Victims
Program Bulletin #2021-01 - MyHome Loan Amount Cap to Increase to $11,000
Latest Enews Announcements
Enews 01/05/21: CalHFA Enews: Program Bulletin #2021-03
Enews 02/26/21: California Housing Finance Agency Executive Director Boatman Patterson tapped by Biden Administration
Enews 02/01/21: CalHFA to offer the Section 203(h) program for California Disaster Victims
Enews announcements can be found on our Archived Page
