Santa Cruz County Mortgage Assistance Program

What is Santa Cruz County Mortgage Assistance Program?

Santa Cruz County Mortgage Assistance Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Santa Cruz County, California.

• Mortgage assistance up to $100,000 for eligible households purchasing single-family home, condo, or townhome in Santa Cruz County. First-time buyers only (no ownership in last 3 years).
• Up to $100,000 in assistance.
• no monthly payments on DPA.
• Funding comes from County / Federal HOME.

How much assistance does it provide?

Santa Cruz County Mortgage Assistance Program offers up to $56,400 in assistance.

• The program asks buyers 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?

Santa Cruz County Mortgage Assistance Program is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

• Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or non-occupancy.
• 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?

Santa Cruz County Mortgage Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Santa Cruz County Mortgage Assistance Program sets its income limit as follows: Contact program provider for current income limits.

• 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?

Santa Cruz County Mortgage Assistance Program 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?

Santa Cruz County Mortgage Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Santa Cruz County, California.

How do you apply?

Applications for Santa Cruz County Mortgage Assistance Program go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program before funds are reserved.

2. 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. 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.