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FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership)

FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership) is a grant for homebuyers in California.

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The program asks for

  • 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, through HUD-approved homebuyer counseling required
  • Residency: Primary residence in AZ, CA, or NV
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
  • $32,837 maximum subsidy (4:1 match of borrower savings). Available through FHLBank SF member institutions. Annual competitive allocation. Must be first-generation homebuyer or live/work in low-income census tract.
  • A home in California

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • 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.

Income limit

80% of the area median income where the home is

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

Where it applies

California’s homes

  • 57% single-family
  • 7.4% townhouse
  • 7.8% 2–4 units
  • 24.1% 5+ units
  • 3.6% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$734,700

California median home value

56%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved homebuyer counseling required.

  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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership)?

FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership) is a grant for homebuyers in California. 4-to-1 matching grant up to $32,837 (2025 FHFA maximum) for eligible low-income first-time homebuyers. $12M allocated for 2025. Delivered through FHLBank SF member financial institutions. Funds applied to down payment and closing costs. Must be at or below 80% AMI. Up to $32,837 in assistance. Funding comes from Federal Home Loan Bank.

Do you have to pay it back?

FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership) is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid. Repayment is triggered by Repayable if not owner-occupied within specified period. 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?

FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. On credit, the program states: Contact lender for current credit score requirements. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved homebuyer counseling required. Residency requirement: Primary residence in AZ, CA, or NV. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen. $32,837 maximum subsidy (4:1 match of borrower savings). Available through FHLBank SF member institutions. Annual competitive allocation. Must be first-generation homebuyer or live/work in low-income census tract.

What are the income limits?

FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. 80% AMI; 4-person limit ~$99,650 (2026 CA statewide estimate). 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?

FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership) caps the purchase price as follows: Contact program for current purchase price limits. 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?

FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership) serves homebuyers purchasing anywhere in California.

How do you apply?

Applications for FHLBank San Francisco WISH Program (Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Contact provider directly; subject to funding availability. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.