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San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) - Homeownership Program

San Francisco, California

Last verified

What is San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) - Homeownership Program?

San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) - Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in San Francisco, California.

  • CLT model providing permanently affordable homeownership in San Francisco through 99-year ground leases. Focused on tenant protection and anti-displacement. Below-market purchase prices for income-qualified buyers. Shared equity resale formula.
  • shared equity with provider at resale.
  • Funding comes from Non-profit / City of San Francisco / Grants.

Do you have to pay it back?

San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) - Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by the administering agency.

  • Repayment is triggered by Resale subject to CLT resale formula and CLT has right of first refusal.
  • 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 Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) - 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: Contact lender for current credit score requirements
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: San Francisco, CA
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
  • 99-year ground lease. Primarily focuses on converting renter-occupied buildings to CLT ownership. Income limits vary by unit.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes

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 Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) - Homeownership Program sets its income limit as follows: 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?

San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) - Homeownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: Conforms to FHA/conventional high-balance limits for this high-cost county; contact program for current limits.

  • Eligible property types include CLT resale-restricted single-family or condominium.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) - Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in San Francisco, California.

How do you apply?

Applications for San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) - 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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