Deferred second loan
City of Bakersfield First-Time Homebuyer Program (Direct City Program)
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single-family (1-4 unit), FHA-approved condominium, townhome/PUD
Down payment assistance · Kern County
Buying a home in Bakersfield, CA
2 Bakersfield programs, 2 county programs and 54 statewide.Bakersfield has 2 programs of its own, 2 more across Kern County, and 54 statewide. Here is what each one offers, what the local market looks like, and who near you can walk you through it.
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Only for Bakersfield addresses
Bakersfield’s own programs
Deferred second loan
My Way Home Hope to Home - Bakersfield City Program
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single-family (1-4 unit), FHA-approved condominium, townhome/PUD
Anywhere in KernAnywhere in Kern County
2 county programs2 county programs a Bakersfield homebuyer can also use
The Bakersfield marketThe Bakersfield housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Bakersfield
- 71.8% single-familysingle-family
- 3.4% townhousetownhouse
- 8.4% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 13.3% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 3.1% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 3 of Bakersfield’s 4 local and county programs accept condos. Habitat for Humanity Kern County - Homeownership Program lists habitat-built single-family home.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Bakersfield’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
34.6%
of Bakersfield homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$81,900
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, Kern County, 4-person household (2026)
$80,540
Bakersfield median household incomeMedian household income in Bakersfield (Census, 2024)
54 of the 120 programs here set their income limit as a share of Kern County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Kern County
Free help nearbyFree help near Bakersfield
Free help from a HUD-approved housing counselorFree help from a HUD-approved housing counselor
4 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 4 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Across California and nationwide
116 statewide & federal programs54 statewide programs, plus federal options
Bakersfield questions
Does Bakersfield have its own down payment program?
Yes, 2: City of Bakersfield First-Time Homebuyer Program (Direct City Program) and My Way Home Hope to Home - Bakersfield City Program. Each is for homes inside Bakersfield.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Bakersfield?
3 of Bakersfield’s 4 local and county programs accept condos. Habitat for Humanity Kern County - Homeownership Program lists habitat-built single-family home. Each program’s page lists the kinds of homes it accepts, and the agency confirms it for the home you choose.
What is the income limit in Kern County?
Each program sets its own. 54 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Kern County, adjusted for household size. HUD publishes the median each year; the 2026 figure is shown above and on the published limits page.
Where can I take a homebuyer class near Bakersfield?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
93301 · 93302 · 93303 · 93304 · 93305 · 93306 · 93307 · 93308 · 93309 · 93311 · 93312 · 93313 · 93380 · 93381 · 93382 · 93383 · 93384 · 93385 · 93386 · 93387 · 93388 · 93389 · 93390
Nearby in Kern
Sources
Sources: agency sites (June–August 2026), Census ACS 2024 5-year, HUD FY2026, HUD counseling list. Hey Prescott is not a lender.Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (June–August 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.