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City of Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP)

Pasadena, California

Last verified
Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$850,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is City of Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP)?

City of Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Pasadena, California.

  • Homeownership Opportunities Program (HOP) providing up to $60,000 deferred loan for first-time buyers purchasing in Pasadena city limits. Income at or below 80% AMI.
  • Up to $60,000 in assistance.
  • no monthly payments on DPA.
  • Funding comes from Federal HOME / City.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP) 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, transfer, or non-occupancy.
  • The assistance is recorded in Second position.
  • 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 Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP) 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
  • On credit: Contact lender for current credit score requirements
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: Purchase within City of Pasadena
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
  • Must purchase in Pasadena; income ≤80% AMI; deferred 3% simple interest; repaid at sale/refi

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $850,000 price cap
  • Households above 80% 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 Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Low income: household income ≤80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
  • 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 Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP) caps the purchase price at $850,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single-family (1-4 unit), FHA-approved condominium, townhome/PUD.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

City of Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP) serves buyers purchasing in Pasadena, California.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program before funds are reserved.

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Contact provider directly; subject to funding availability, 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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City of Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP), explained

A short, free course on City of Pasadena First Time Homebuyer Program (HOP): what it is, who it is for, when it is repaid, where it applies and how to apply. Based on program data from July 2026. About ten minutes.

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