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ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program (DR-HBA)

California

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Income limit

120% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 5 years

What is ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program (DR-HBA)?

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program (DR-HBA) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in California.

  • Forgivable loan up to $300,000 for households displaced by California fire/flood disasters (2017, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2024 declared disasters). Funded by CDBG-DR. Forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy. Program launched Nov 10, 2025 with flood priority for first 30 days.
  • Up to $300,000 in assistance.
  • loan forgiven after required occupancy.
  • Funding comes from Federal CDBG-DR (HUD).

Do you have to pay it back?

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program (DR-HBA) is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or loss of occupancy before 5 years.
  • 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?

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program (DR-HBA) is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Minimum 640 FICO score required for all borrowers
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: Primary residence; must have been displaced by declared CA disaster
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
  • Available to survivors of declared disasters (wildfires up to $350K, floods up to $300K). 80% AMI income limit. 5-year forgivable loan. Must have been displaced or had home destroyed in federally-declared disaster. California-specific program.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • 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?

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program (DR-HBA) limits household income to 120% 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?

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program (DR-HBA) 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?

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program (DR-HBA) serves buyers purchasing anywhere in California.

How do you apply?

Applications for ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program (DR-HBA) 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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