Long Beach down payment programs at a glance
| Program | Help available | Status on Oct 26, 2026 | Works for a Long Beach address? |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Long Beach First-Time Homebuyer Assistance | Grant up to $25,000 (down payment, closing costs, rate buydown) | Closed; last round ended September 2025 | Yes, when open (Long Beach residents only) |
| LACDA HOP80 / HOP150 | 0% deferred loan up to $100,000 or 20% of price, plus shared appreciation | Active, first come first served through HOP participating lenders | Long Beach not listed; Signal Hill is listed |
| CalHFA MyHome Assistance | Deferred junior loan up to 3.5% (FHA) or 3% (conventional) | Available through CalHFA approved lenders | Yes, subject to CalHFA income limits |
| CalHFA Dream For All | Up to 20% (max $150,000), shared appreciation | 2026 window closed March 16; vouchers released May 20, 2026 | Yes, in a future round, by random drawing |
What the closed Long Beach grant required (so you are ready if it reopens)
Under the city's most recent published guidelines (effective January 2, 2024), applicants had to be current Long Beach residents, first-time buyers (no principal residence owned in three years), and first-generation buyers, with household income at or below 200% of LA County AMI. They needed a lender pre-approval for a 30-year fixed loan, no more than $100,000 in liquid assets after closing, a Realtor, an escrow of at least 30 days, and they could not open escrow before applying. Eligible homes were single-family homes, townhomes, and condos in Long Beach; multifamily and mobile homes were excluded, and buyers had to live in the home for five years. Rules for any future round may change, so treat these as a preparation checklist, not a promise.
The Signal Hill exception most Long Beach buyers miss
Signal Hill is its own city, fully surrounded by Long Beach, and it appears on LACDA's HOP participating cities list. HOP80 (income up to 80% of AMI, price up to $700,000) and HOP150 (income up to 150% of AMI, price up to $850,000) can provide up to $100,000 or 20% of the price as a 0% deferred second loan, repaid with a share of appreciation when you sell, transfer, or stop living there. For a household of four, LACDA's limits effective August 24, 2026 are $133,250 (80% AMI) and $162,150 (150% AMI). Buyers must put in at least 1% of the down payment from their own funds and complete an eight-hour HUD approved homebuyer course. Only a HOP participating lender can submit the application, so confirm lender participation and address eligibility with LACDA before you shop.
Paths that work in Long Beach today
- CalHFA MyHome with an FHA or conventional first loan: covers part or all of a minimum down payment for eligible first-time buyers who complete homebuyer education.
- FHA at 3.5% down: the 2026 LA County one-unit FHA limit is $1,249,125 (FHFA and HUD high cost area), which covers most Long Beach condos and many single-family homes.
- Conventional 3% to 5% down: often a fit for condos in Downtown, Belmont Shore, and Alamitos Beach if the HOA passes project review.
- Gift funds and seller credits: allowed within each loan program's limits and documentation rules.
- Two to four unit homes: the city grant excluded multifamily, but FHA and conventional loans allow owner-occupied duplexes and fourplexes, with 2026 limits up to $1,599,375 (two units) in LA County.
Related RateZen guides
- California Buying Power and Refinance Guide
- South Bay, Torrance and Redondo Beach Mortgage Guide
- Free First-Time Homebuyer Webinar
Frequently asked questions
Is the City of Long Beach $25,000 first-time homebuyer grant open right now?
No. As of October 26, 2026, the City of Long Beach Homebuyer Programs page states that the First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program application period is closed. The most recent round closed in September 2025, and no new 2026 round has been announced on the city's site. Check longbeach.gov/lbcd/hn/homebuyer before relying on it.
Can I use the LA County HOP down payment loan to buy in Long Beach?
Generally no. LACDA's HOP80 and HOP150 loans only cover unincorporated LA County and listed participating cities. Long Beach is not on the participating cities list we reviewed on October 26, 2026, but Signal Hill, which sits inside Long Beach, is. Email [email protected] to confirm any specific address.
What down payment help can a Long Beach buyer still use today?
CalHFA's MyHome Assistance Program remains available through CalHFA approved lenders: a deferred junior loan up to 3.5% of the price with a CalHFA FHA first loan, or up to 3% with a CalHFA conventional loan, subject to income limits and homebuyer education. Gift funds and seller credits can also help, within each loan program's rules.
Is California Dream For All still taking applications?
Not right now. CalHFA accepted 2026 Dream For All applications from February 24 to March 16, 2026, selected vouchers by random drawing, and released the next voucher round on May 20, 2026. Watch calhfa.ca.gov/dream for a future round.
How much do I need for a down payment on a Long Beach home?
It depends on the loan. FHA can start at 3.5% down and some conventional first-time buyer loans at 3% down, up to the 2026 LA County loan limit of $1,249,125 for a one-unit home. Closing costs, reserves, and property taxes come on top, so ask for a written estimate for your actual price range.
Should I wait for the Long Beach grant to reopen before buying?
Only you can decide that, but waiting has a cost if prices or rates move. A practical approach is to get pre-approved now with a structure that works without the city grant, then layer the grant in if a new round opens before you open escrow. The city's past rules required applying before opening escrow.
Talk through your Long Beach numbers
Isaac Grajeda can compare MyHome, FHA, conventional, and gift fund structures for your price range and tell you what to have ready if the city grant reopens.
Call 424-RATE-ZEN (424) 728-3936 Book a Strategy CallSources (verified October 26, 2026)
- City of Long Beach, Homebuyer Programs (application period closed)
- City of Long Beach press release, January 2, 2024
- LACDA Home Ownership Program (HOP80 and HOP150)
- CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program
- CalHFA Dream For All and January 16, 2026 press release
- FHFA 2026 conforming loan limits
Program terms, income limits, and funding change without notice. This page is educational and is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property eligibility. Participation of any specific lender in HOP or CalHFA programs must be confirmed before application.