DPA Cheat Sheet · Sacramento Metro
Sacramento DPA Program
Cheat Sheet
Every program. What may combine, what does not. Real-world cash-to-close math.
By Ken Clark Jr., Certified Mortgage Advisor and Branch Manager
PRMG Mortgage | NMLS #225375 | kenclarkjr.com | (916) 275-3469
The 6 Sacramento programs that matter
1. CalHFA First Mortgage + MyHome
State-wideFTBFHA or Conventional
- Loan type: CalHFA FHA or CalHFA Conventional first mortgage, most commonly with the CalHFA MyHome Assistance second layered on for down payment and closing-cost help.
- Credit (CalHFA program rule): 640+ for CalHFA FHA; 680+ for CalHFA Conventional
- 2026 Sacramento County household income limit: $245,000 (effective 06.30.2026, per CalHFA "2026 Government & Conventional Income Limits" PDF). Applies to CalHFA MyHome and all CalHFA first and subordinate mortgages except Dream For All.
- MyHome amount: generally up to 3% (conventional) or 3.5% (FHA) of purchase price as a silent second with no monthly payment; simple interest accrues until sale, refinance, or payoff.
- How it pairs: CalHFA first mortgage is most commonly paired with an SHRA second (PLHA or CalHome) in Sacramento for a documented stacked structure. The SHRA second is its own program with its own qualification criteria.
- Best for: first-time Sacramento buyers who fit within CalHFA income limits and want a competitively priced state-run first mortgage.
2. GSFA Platinum
State-wideGrant optionNo FTB req
- Amount: 3-5% of loan amount
- Income limit: up to ~$202K depending on county
- Credit: 640+
- Structure: grant or repayable 2nd
- Best for: higher-income or non-first-time buyers, dual-income households
3. NHF (National Homebuyers Fund) DPA Advantage
Multi-stateFHA onlyDPA up to 5%
- Program type: Down payment assistance for FHA loans only (does not pair with conventional, VA, or USDA first mortgages)
- Amount: typically up to 5 percent of loan amount
- Geographic reach: works for FHA buyers in both Sacramento AND New Jersey, plus many other states
- Income limit: often up to 140 percent AMI; varies by program option
- Structure: forgivable or repayable second; funds for down payment, closing costs, or both
- Best for: Sacramento or New Jersey FHA buyers above CalHFA or NJHMFA income limits, or when state programs do not fit
- Note: PRMG is approved for NHF; subject to current program guidelines and funding availability
4. SHRA PLHA and CalHome
Sacramento City & CountyCurrently fundedPRMG SHRA-approved
- PLHA (Permanent Local Housing Allocation): up to 20% of purchase price capped at $50,000, 1% simple interest, no monthly payment, 30-year deferred term. Pairs with an FHA, conventional, or CalHFA first mortgage.
- PLHA 2026 income limits (80% AMI): 1-person $72,050 | 2-person $82,350 | 3-person $92,650 | 4-person $102,900 | 5-person $111,150 | 6-person $119,400
- PLHA eligible properties: single-family homes, condos, and half-plexes within the City and County of Sacramento. Property must meet SHRA housing quality standards (Agency inspection required).
- CalHome: deferred-payment down payment assistance for income-eligible buyers in qualified areas of the City and County of Sacramento. Similar structure to PLHA; use SHRA map to confirm eligible areas.
- MCC (Mortgage Credit Certificate): federal tax credit on annual mortgage interest, potentially $2K-$4K per year in early years. Historically administered through both SHRA locally and GSFA statewide; funding is capped and often fully allocated. Confirm current 2026 availability with SHRA or a GSFA-approved lender.
- PRMG status: Ken Clark Jr. and PRMG are among the small group of SHRA-approved lenders.
- Best for: first-time buyers who fit inside the 80% AMI income limits and are purchasing a qualified property in the City or County of Sacramento.
- Source: SHRA PLHA program flyer.
5. Chenoa Fund
Multi-stateFHA-paired
- Amount: 3.5% or 5% of loan amount
- Income limit: higher than CalHFA
- Structure: forgivable OR repayable second (your choice)
- Best for: Sacramento FHA buyers above CalHFA income limits
6. Placer County DPA
Placer CountyFor Roseville, Lincoln, etc.
- Programs: first-time homebuyer deferred mortgage
- Income limit: Placer County adjusted
- Best for: Roseville, Lincoln, Rocklin, Auburn first-time buyers
Stacking rules
DPA stacking is more limited than most marketing suggests. In Sacramento, the only verified working stack is CalHFA first mortgage + SHRA 2nd (CalHome or PLHA). Other DPA programs are typically stand-alone and cannot be combined with each other.
| Combo | Stackable? | Notes |
|---|
| CalHFA 1st Mortgage + SHRA 2nd (CalHome) | Yes | Standard Sacramento City and County stack for income-eligible buyers; SHRA-approved lender required |
| CalHFA 1st Mortgage + SHRA 2nd (PLHA) | Yes | Alternative SHRA pairing for income-eligible buyers in eligible Sacramento areas |
| CalHFA + GSFA Platinum | No | Pick one program; these do not combine |
| CalHFA + NHF | No | Pick one program; these do not combine |
| CalHFA + Chenoa | No | Pick one program; these do not combine |
| GSFA + Chenoa | No | Standalone programs; do not combine |
| Any DPA + Seller Credits | Yes | Seller credits layer with most DPA structures within program limits |
Real Sacramento math: $475K home, FHA buyer
- Purchase price: $475,000
- FHA down payment (3.5%): $16,625
- CalHFA FHA first mortgage paired with SHRA CalHome 2nd: SHRA assistance covers a portion of down payment and closing costs (amount depends on SHRA program guidelines)
- Seller credit (3% negotiated): $14,250 toward closing costs
- Total estimated closing costs + prepaids: $12,000-$14,000
- Estimated cash to close: $4,000-$7,000 plus reserves
Exact numbers depend on credit, income, and current program funding availability.
Quick check: Use the DPA Finder at kenclarkjr.com/dpa-finder to see every program you may qualify for based on your county and household profile. No credit pull required to browse.
Want me to model your real stack?
20 minutes on the phone, we will pull a soft credit check and tell you exactly which DPA programs fit and what your real cash-to-close range looks like.
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Licensing: Ken Clark Jr., NMLS #225375. Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. (PRMG), NMLS #75243. PRMG is licensed in 49 states, excluding New York. Verify at
NMLS Consumer Access. Equal Housing Opportunity. This guide is for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend or guarantee of approval.