Anaheim Down Payment Assistance: Up to $50,000 for First-Time Homebuyers

Coming up with the down payment is often one of the biggest obstacles for someone trying to buy their first home in Anaheim. A City of Anaheim program may make that hurdle considerably smaller.

The My Anaheim Home First-Time Homebuyer Loan Program offers qualified buyers a $50,000 loan that can be used toward the down payment on an eligible home in Anaheim. The program is designed for low- to moderate-income households and follows earlier Anaheim homeownership assistance efforts, including the city’s Attainable Homeownership program.

What makes this program particularly interesting isn’t just the $50,000. The loan has a 30-year term with payments deferred until maturity, meaning no monthly payments are required on the assistance loan for 30 years. The interest rate is 1% simple interest.

Anaheim Homebuyer Assistance — At a Glance

• $50,000 down payment assistance loan
• Assistance must be used toward the down payment
• 30-year term
• No monthly payments required for 30 years
• 1% simple interest
• Buyer must contribute a minimum 3% down from the purchase price using the borrower’s own funds
• Maximum down payment is 20% of the purchase price
• Up to 5% may come from family gift funds
• Available for qualifying single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums
• Property must be located within Anaheim city limits
• Home must be owner occupied
• Priority consideration is given to applicants who have lived and/or worked in Anaheim for the previous 12 months

Who Is Considered a First-Time Homebuyer?

One feature that may open the program to more people than expected is how previous homeownership is treated.

According to the program requirements, an applicant must not have owned a home within the last three years. That means someone who owned a home years ago but has been renting for the past three years may potentially satisfy this particular requirement.

Applicants must also income qualify, purchase an eligible property within Anaheim city limits, occupy it as their home, and complete a HUD-approved in-person seminar.

2026 Anaheim Homebuyer Program Income Limits

The flyer uses the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s FY 2026 moderate-income limits for a high-cost area, listed at 150% of Area Median Income.

Household Size	Maximum Income
1 person	$145,500
2 persons	$166,350
3 persons	$187,100
4 persons	$207,900
5 persons	$224,550
6 persons	$241,200
7 persons	$257,750
8 persons	$274,400

These income limits are subject to change.

Yes, Anaheim Condos and Townhomes Can Qualify

For buyers who assumed a homeownership assistance program would only apply to detached houses, this is an important part of the program.

Eligible property types include new or existing single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums. For first-time buyers priced out of detached homes, that potentially makes Anaheim’s large selection of condos and townhomes a more realistic entry point into homeownership.

There is, however, a maximum purchase-price requirement. According to the program flyer, the purchase price cannot exceed the average home purchase price in Anaheim. Because that figure can change, buyers should verify the current limit before focusing their home search around the program.

How Much Money Does the Buyer Need?

This isn’t a zero-down program. Buyers are required to contribute at least 3% of the purchase price from their own funds.

For example, on a hypothetical $700,000 purchase, 3% would equal $21,000. The Anaheim assistance could then potentially provide another $50,000 toward the down payment, subject to the program’s requirements and the financing structure approved for that buyer.

The program also permits family gift funds of up to 5%, while limiting the total down payment to no more than 20% of the purchase price.

Why Deferred Assistance Can Matter

The lack of a monthly payment on the $50,000 assistance loan is an important distinction. A buyer isn’t simply borrowing another $50,000 and adding a conventional monthly loan payment on top of their primary mortgage.

Instead, payment is deferred until maturity, with no monthly payments required for 30 years and 1% simple interest under the program terms.

That doesn’t make the assistance free money—the $50,000 is a loan, not a grant—but it may help qualified buyers bridge the gap between the cash they’ve accumulated and the down payment needed to purchase a home.

Interested in Buying an Anaheim Home?

Qualification involves more than simply falling below the income limit. Financing, purchase price, property eligibility, buyer contribution and the other program requirements all need to work together.

If you’re considering an Anaheim condo, townhome or single-family home and would like to see whether this program could fit your situation, use the contact form below. We can start with the basics and determine the appropriate next steps.

Program guidelines, income limits, purchase-price limits and availability are subject to change. Buyers should verify current program requirements and financing eligibility before making a purchase decision.