Self-Help Enterprises Homeownership Program (San Joaquin Valley)
Self-Help Enterprises Homeownership Program (San Joaquin Valley) is down payment assistance for homebuyers in 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, through Self-Help Enterprises homebuyer education
- Residency: Must occupy as primary residence
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
- Available in 8 San Joaquin Valley counties. Sweat equity requirement may apply. Contact for current income and purchase price limits.
- A home in California
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Purchases above the $450,000 price cap
- Households above 80% 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.
Income limit
80% of the area median income where the home is
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
California’s homesCalifornia’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 57% single-familysingle-family
- 7.4% townhousetownhouse
- 7.8% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 24.1% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 3.6% 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.
$734,700
California median home value
56%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through Self-Help Enterprises homebuyer education.
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 Self-Help Enterprises Homeownership Program (San Joaquin Valley)?
Self-Help Enterprises Homeownership Program (San Joaquin Valley) is down payment assistance for homebuyers in California. Self-Help Enterprises provides deferred DPA loans and USDA mutual self-help construction throughout Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Kern counties. Up to $100,000 in assistance. no monthly payments on DPA. Funding comes from USDA/HOME/CalHome.
Do you have to pay it back?
Self-Help Enterprises Homeownership Program (San Joaquin Valley) is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by the administering agency. Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or refinance. 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?
Self-Help Enterprises Homeownership Program (San Joaquin Valley) 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, through Self-Help Enterprises homebuyer education. Residency requirement: Must occupy as primary residence. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen. Available in 8 San Joaquin Valley counties. Sweat equity requirement may apply. Contact for current income and purchase price limits.
What are the income limits?
Self-Help Enterprises Homeownership Program (San Joaquin Valley) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. 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?
Self-Help Enterprises Homeownership Program (San Joaquin Valley) caps the purchase price at $450,000. 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?
Self-Help Enterprises Homeownership Program (San Joaquin Valley) serves homebuyers purchasing anywhere in California.
How do you apply?
Applications for Self-Help Enterprises Homeownership Program (San Joaquin Valley) 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 California homebuyersOther programs open to California homebuyers
- California Dream For AllUp to $150,000
- Bank of America Down Payment Grant - CaliforniaUp to $10,000
- Wells Fargo Homebuyer Access Grant - CaliforniaUp to $10,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 116 programs for CaliforniaProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.