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San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Section 8 Homeownership Program

San Diego, California

Last verified
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Income limit

50% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

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 buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • 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

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 50% 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?

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 buyers 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.

  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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