Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program
Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program is a mortgage credit certificate for homebuyers in Los Angeles County, California.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: Minimum 640 FICO score required for all borrowers
- A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved homebuyer counseling
- Residency: Must occupy as primary residence
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
- Federal tax credit equal to 20% of annual mortgage interest (max $2,000/yr); reduces federal income tax owed; first-time homebuyer required; income and purchase price limits per county
- A home in Los Angeles County
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Purchases above the $726,200 price cap
- Households above 115% of area median income
- Homes outside Los Angeles County
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
115% of Los Angeles County’s area median income
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
Los Angeles County’s homesLos Angeles County’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 47.3% single-familysingle-family
- 6.6% townhousetownhouse
- 8.5% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 36% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 1.6% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$834,200
Los Angeles County median home value
70.3%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Los Angeles County
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through HUD-approved homebuyer counseling.
Contact the administering agency to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Contact provider directly; subject to funding availability, and are subject to availability.
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 Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program?
Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program is a mortgage credit certificate for homebuyers in Los Angeles County, California. LACDA issues MCCs providing up to $2,000 federal income tax credit annually for first-time homebuyers in LA County unincorporated areas and participating cities. Up to $2,000 in assistance. non-repayable grant. Funding comes from Federal Tax Credit (MCC).
How much assistance does it provide?
Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program offers up to $2,000 in assistance. The program asks homebuyers to contribute 1% of purchase price (borrower minimum). The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program is a tax credit rather than a loan, so there is nothing to repay. Repayment is triggered by N/A (non-repayable grant). The assistance is recorded in N/A (grant - no lien) position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program 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: Minimum 640 FICO score required for all borrowers. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved homebuyer counseling. Residency requirement: Must occupy as primary residence. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen. Federal tax credit equal to 20% of annual mortgage interest (max $2,000/yr); reduces federal income tax owed; first-time homebuyer required; income and purchase price limits per county.
What are the income limits?
Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program limits household income to 115% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Low to moderate income: household income ≤120% 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?
Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program caps the purchase price at $726,200. 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?
Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Los Angeles County, California.
How do you apply?
Applications for Los Angeles County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program 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.
Also for Los Angeles County homebuyersOther programs open to Los Angeles County homebuyers
- Habitat LA Downpayment Assistance ProgramUp to $100,000
- Home Ownership Program (HOP120)Up to $100,000
- Los Angeles LIPA ProgramUp to $90,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 115 programs for Los Angeles CountyProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.