Shared-appreciation loan
City of Palo Alto Below Market Rate Homeownership Program
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single-family (1-2 unit), conventional condominium, townhome, PUD
Down payment assistance · Santa Clara County
Buying a home in Palo Alto, CA
2 Palo Alto programs, 2 county programs and 54 statewide.Palo Alto has 2 programs of its own, 2 more across Santa Clara 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 Palo Alto addresses
Palo Alto’s own programs
Deferred second loan
Stanford University Faculty Staff Housing Assistance
New construction · Income limits · Single-family (1-2 unit), conventional condominium, townhome, PUD
Anywhere in Santa ClaraAnywhere in Santa Clara County
2 county programs2 county programs a Palo Alto homebuyer can also use
6 more programs are for homes in Cupertino, Milpitas, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and San Jose. See them 6 programs in neighboring cities — for homes inside those cities, not Palo Alto
- Cupertino — City of Cupertino Below Market Rate Homeownership Program
- Milpitas — City of Milpitas Below Market Rate Homebuyer Program
- Mountain View — City of Mountain View First-Time Homebuyer Program
- Santa Clara — City of Santa Clara First-Time Homebuyer Program
- Sunnyvale — City of Sunnyvale First-Time Homebuyer Program
- San Jose — Destination Home
The Palo Alto marketThe Palo Alto housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Palo Alto
- 57.5% single-familysingle-family
- 6.2% townhousetownhouse
- 6.2% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 29.6% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.5% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. All 4 of Palo Alto’s local and county programs accept condos.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Palo Alto’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
70%
of Palo Alto 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.
$205,500
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, Santa Clara County, 4-person household (2026)
$231,101
Palo Alto median household incomeMedian household income in Palo Alto (Census, 2024)
53 of the 120 programs here set their income limit as a share of Santa Clara County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Santa Clara County
Free help nearbyFree help near Palo Alto
4 HUD-approved counseling agencies within 15 miles4 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies within 15 miles
2 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.2 of the 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.
Find my counselor
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Across California and nationwide
116 statewide & federal programs54 statewide programs, plus federal options
Palo Alto questions
Does Palo Alto have its own down payment program?
Yes, 2: City of Palo Alto Below Market Rate Homeownership Program and Stanford University Faculty Staff Housing Assistance. Each is for homes inside Palo Alto.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Palo Alto?
All 4 of Palo Alto’s local and county programs accept condos. 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 Santa Clara County?
Each program sets its own. 53 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Santa Clara 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 Palo Alto?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 4 agencies are within 15 miles of Palo Alto. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
94301 · 94302 · 94303 · 94304 · 94306 · 94307 · 94308 · 94309 · 94310
Nearby in Santa Clara
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.