hey prescott.
See what you qualify for
City programGrant

Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program

Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program is a grant for homebuyers in San Diego, California.

Last verified
Check if this fits me

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Urban League of San Diego County (required financial counseling and education)
  • Sourced via Homebuyer Wallet (CA260109). Restricted to certified educators in San Diego City Council District 5, employed by SDUSD or Poway Unified. Must complete UL San Diego financial counseling and education. Approved by LISC.
  • A home inside San Diego city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Households above 160% of area median income
  • Homes outside San Diego

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

160% of San Diego County’s area median income

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.

$130,900
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)
Income limits in California

Where it applies

San Diego’s homes

  • 43.1% single-family
  • 9.9% townhouse
  • 7.9% 2–4 units
  • 38% 5+ units
  • 1.1% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$906,700

San Diego median home value

52.4%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in San Diego

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Urban League of San Diego County (required financial counseling and education).

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program?

Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program is a grant for homebuyers in San Diego, California. Grant program — no repayment required if eligibility maintained. Targeted to certified educators in specific district to help retention via homeownership. Minimum $40,000 grant during escrow for down payment for certified educators teaching in San Diego City Council District 5 (San Diego Unified or Poway Unified). Administered with LISC San Diego. Funding comes from LISC San Diego, Urban League San Diego.

Do you have to pay it back?

Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid. Repayment is triggered by none (grant). Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program 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. A homebuyer education course is required, through Urban League of San Diego County (required financial counseling and education). Sourced via Homebuyer Wallet (CA260109). Restricted to certified educators in San Diego City Council District 5, employed by SDUSD or Poway Unified. Must complete UL San Diego financial counseling and education. Approved by LISC.

What are the income limits?

Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program limits household income to 160% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income under 160% of AMI (~$134,000 single-person household, San Diego County). The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. 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?

Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program can be used for Single-family, Condo, Townhouse.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program 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?

Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program serves homebuyers purchasing in San Diego, California.

How do you apply?

Applications for Urban League of San Diego County HOPE Teacher Housing Grant Program go through the administering agency. 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 San Diego homebuyers

Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.

All 126 programs for San Diego

Program terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.