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Mendocino County HOME Program First-Time Homebuyer

Mendocino County HOME Program First-Time Homebuyer is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Mendocino County, 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: Minimum 620 FICO score required for all borrowers
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: Must occupy as primary residence
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
  • A home in Mendocino County

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $450,000 price cap
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Mendocino 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

80% of Mendocino 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.

$99,100
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Mendocino County’s homes

  • 72.4% single-family
  • 2.5% townhouse
  • 6.2% 2–4 units
  • 8.3% 5+ units
  • 10.5% mobile & other

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

$512,200

Mendocino County median home value

56.8%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Mendocino County

How to apply

  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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is Mendocino County HOME Program First-Time Homebuyer?

Mendocino County HOME Program First-Time Homebuyer is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Mendocino County, California. HOME-funded deferred down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers in Mendocino County (Ukiah, Willits, Fort Bragg). 0% interest. Up to $60,000 in assistance. no monthly payments on DPA. Funding comes from HOME.

Do you have to pay it back?

Mendocino County HOME Program First-Time Homebuyer 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 refinance. 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?

Mendocino County HOME Program First-Time Homebuyer 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 620 FICO score required for all borrowers. A homebuyer education course is required. Residency requirement: Must occupy as primary residence. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen.

What are the income limits?

Mendocino County HOME Program First-Time Homebuyer 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?

Mendocino County HOME Program First-Time Homebuyer caps the purchase price at $450,000. 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?

Mendocino County HOME Program First-Time Homebuyer serves homebuyers purchasing in Mendocino County, California.

How do you apply?

Applications for Mendocino County HOME Program First-Time Homebuyer 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 Mendocino County homebuyers

Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.

All 107 programs for Mendocino County

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