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City of Emeryville First Home Emeryville Down Payment Assistance Program

Emeryville, California

Last verified
See what you qualify for
Income limit

120% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is City of Emeryville First Home Emeryville Down Payment Assistance Program?

City of Emeryville First Home Emeryville Down Payment Assistance Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Emeryville, California.

  • 30-year deferred loan at 3% simple interest. No monthly payments. Repayment due at sale, refinance, or non-occupancy. Administered by Hello Housing (nonprofit).
  • Up to $200,000 deferred-payment 30-year loan at 3% simple interest. No monthly payments. Loan due at sale or non-occupancy. Property must be within Emeryville city limits — applicants do NOT need to live or work in Emeryville to apply.
  • Funding comes from City of Emeryville housing funds.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Emeryville First Home Emeryville Down Payment Assistance Program is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

  • Repayment is triggered by sale, refinance, or change of primary residence.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

City of Emeryville First Home Emeryville Down Payment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Required - HUD-approved (Hello Housing or NID-HCA)
  • Sourced via Homebuyer Wallet (CA20250048). Must be first-time homebuyer. Total household income at/under 120% of HUD-published AMI. Application periods are time-limited (announced via City news). No live/work-in-Emeryville requirement.

The program excludes

  • Households above 120% of area median income

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

City of Emeryville First Home Emeryville Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • 120% of HUD-published AMI (Alameda County), updated annually.
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

City of Emeryville First Home Emeryville Down Payment Assistance Program can be used for Single-family, Condo, Townhouse.

Where does it apply?

City of Emeryville First Home Emeryville Down Payment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Emeryville, California.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Emeryville First Home Emeryville Down Payment Assistance Program go through the administering agency.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Required - HUD-approved (Hello Housing or NID-HCA).

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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