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SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD)

LISC San Diego · San Diego, California

Last verified
Assistance

$40,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

160% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$622,250

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Grant

Not repaid

What is SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD)?

SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD) is a grant for homebuyers in San Diego, California, administered by LISC San Diego.

  • Up to $40,000 in down payment assistance grant for teachers employed by San Diego Unified School District or Poway Unified School District. Launched March 1, 2025.
  • Up to $40,000 in assistance.
  • non-repayable grant.
  • Funding comes from City of San Diego.

How much assistance does it provide?

SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD) offers up to $40,000 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 — LISC San Diego determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD) is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

  • Repayment is triggered by None (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?

SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD) 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: Purchase within City of San Diego; must be SDUSD or PUSD teacher
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
  • Must be credentialed teacher employed by San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) or Poway Unified School District (PUSD). $15,000 non-repayable grant. Must use SDHC-approved lender.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $622,250 price cap
  • Households above 160% 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?

SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD) limits household income to 160% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • 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?

SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD) caps the purchase price at $622,250.

  • Eligible property types include Single-family (1-4 unit), FHA-approved condominium, townhome/PUD.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD) names educators among the groups it serves.

  • Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD) serves buyers purchasing in San Diego, California.

How do you apply?

Applications for SDHC H.O.P.E. Teacher Grant (San Diego & Poway USD) go through LISC San Diego, 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 LISC San Diego 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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