Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara)
Assistance grant · New construction · Income limit 60% of AMI
Habitat-built single-family home
See details Jun 2026
Down payment assistance · California
Buying a home in Santa Barbara County, CA
3 county-wide programs, 2 cities with their own, plus 43 statewide and 62 nationwide.Santa Barbara has 3 programs that cover the whole county and 2 cities with a program of their own. On top of those, 43 statewide and 62 nationwide programs are open here. Start with your city or ZIP to see which apply to the home you want.
Free · No credit pull · No SSN
Anywhere in Santa BarbaraAnywhere in Santa Barbara County
3 programs for every Santa Barbara address3 programs that cover every Santa Barbara address
All 3 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.These are run for the whole county, so a home in Santa Barbara, Lompoc or Santa Maria can use them. All 3 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.
Housing Trust Fund Santa Barbara North County Workforce Homebuyer Program
Deferred second loan · New construction · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single-family (1-2 unit), conventional condominium, townhome, PUD
See details Jul 2026
Housing Trust Fund Santa Barbara Workforce Homebuyer Program (South County)
Repayable second loan · New construction · Income limit 150% of AMI
Single-family (1-2 unit), conventional condominium, townhome, PUD
See details Jul 2026
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Santa Barbara, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
Only inside city limits
2 cities with their own program2 Santa Barbara cities with their own program
For a home inside that city, on top of the county-wide 3.A city program is for a home inside that city. Buying there? It sits on top of the 3 county-wide programs above.
The Santa Barbara marketThe Santa Barbara housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Santa Barbara
- 56.1% single-familysingle-family
- 8.3% townhousetownhouse
- 9.2% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 21.7% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 4.7% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 2 of the 3 county-wide programs and 1 of the 2 city programs list condos as eligible. Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara) lists habitat-built single-family home. City of Lompoc Homebuyer Assistance Program lists single-family.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Santa Barbara’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
60%
of Santa Barbara 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.
$118,600
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Santa Barbara County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$98,161
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Santa Barbara (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
52.4%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (California: 55.9%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 46 of the 110 programs here set their income limit as a share of Santa Barbara County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Santa Barbara County
Free help in Santa BarbaraFree help in Santa Barbara
Free help from a HUD-approved housing counselorFree help from a HUD-approved housing counselor
5 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 5 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.
Find my counselor
Free account → 90-second match → your counselors · Sign in
20 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Santa Barbara CountyAll 20 cities and places in Santa Barbara County
has a program of its own
Santa Barbara questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Santa Barbara?
The 3 county-wide programs cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Lompoc’s and Santa Barbara’s, are only for homes inside that city’s limits. Each agency sets its own rules, so confirm on the program’s official site.
Can I combine a county program with a city program?
Sometimes. Combining ("stacking") programs is set by each administering agency, and some do not allow a second program on the same home. Each program’s page links to the agency that can say.
What is the area median income in Santa Barbara County?
HUD publishes it once a year; the 2026 four-person figure is shown above. Programs set their limits as a share of it, adjusted for household size, and the published limits page lists each one.
Do Santa Barbara programs accept condos?
2 of the 3 county-wide programs and 1 of the 2 city programs list condos as eligible. Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara) lists habitat-built single-family home. City of Lompoc Homebuyer Assistance Program lists single-family. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Santa Barbara?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
Keep exploring
Sources
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), tables B01003, B25077, B25003, B25024, B25034, B25035, B19013. Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.