San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program
San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program is a mortgage credit certificate for homebuyers in San Diego 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 San Diego County
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Purchases above the $726,200 price cap
- Households above 115% of area median income
- Homes outside San Diego 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 San Diego 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
San Diego County’s homesSan Diego County’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 50% single-familysingle-family
- 10% townhousetownhouse
- 7% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 29.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 3.4% 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.
$854,700
San Diego County median home value
49.5%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in San Diego 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 San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program?
San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program is a mortgage credit certificate for homebuyers in San Diego County, California. Federal tax credit equal to 20% of mortgage interest paid (up to $2,000/year). Reduces homebuyer's federal income tax liability annually for life of loan. Issued by SDHC for San Diego County. Up to $2,000 in assistance. non-repayable grant. Funding comes from Federal Tax Credit (MCC).
How much assistance does it provide?
San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) 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?
San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) 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?
San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) 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?
San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) 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?
San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) 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?
San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program serves homebuyers purchasing in San Diego County, California.
How do you apply?
Applications for San Diego County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) 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 San Diego County homebuyersOther programs open to San Diego County homebuyers
- GSFA Assist-to-Own - San Diego County EmployeesGrant
- GSFA Platinum Grant - San Diego County SpecificGrant
- San Diego County DCCA (Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance) ProgramDeferred
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 110 programs for San Diego CountyProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.