San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership Program
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in San Diego, 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 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 inside San Diego city limits
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Households above 50% of area median income
- Homes outside San Diego
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
50% 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’s homesSan Diego’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 43.1% single-familysingle-family
- 9.9% townhousetownhouse
- 7.9% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 38% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 1.1% 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.
$906,700
San Diego median home value
52.4%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in San Diego
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program before funds are reserved.
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 Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership Program?
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in San Diego, California. SDHC Section 8 voucher holders may use their housing choice voucher toward monthly mortgage payments for a purchased home in San Diego. Down payment and/or closing cost assistance. Funding comes from HUD/Federal.
Do you have to pay it back?
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by the administering agency. Repayment is triggered by Monthly payment or per loan terms and balloon at sale/refinance. The assistance is recorded in 2nd 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 Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership 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 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?
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership Program limits household income to 50% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Low income: household income ≤50% 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?
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: Conforms to FHA/conventional loan limits for this county; contact program for current 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?
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in San Diego, California.
How do you apply?
Applications for San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership 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 homebuyersOther programs open to San Diego homebuyers
- SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Middle-Income ProgramUp to $40,000
- SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD)Up to $40,000
- San Diego Community Land Trust - Affordable HomeownershipAssistance
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 126 programs for San DiegoProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.