How it works
Orange County is the thinnest DPA market in Southern California. OC itself doesn't run a broad county-level DPA; most "Anaheim DPA programs" referenced online are actually statewide products (CalHFA, GSFA) that happen to be usable in Anaheim.
The City of Santa Ana is the exception. Santa Ana's Community Development Agency runs an active 0% interest deferred second worth up to $40,000, plus a separate 'My First Home' second-loan product. Given Santa Ana's median home price around $700K, $40K is a meaningful percentage-of-purchase assist — 5-6% — and stacks cleanly with CalHFA MyHome, ZIP, and an MCC.
For qualifying Orange County first-time buyers, Santa Ana DPA is usually the right starting point. For buyers targeting Anaheim, Irvine, HB, or Newport Beach, the play pivots to CalHFA statewide programs + GSFA Platinum grant, not city-level DPA.
Who it's for
First-time buyers targeting Santa Ana's ~$700K median market — one of the only OC cities with material municipal DPA in 2026.
Eligibility at a glance
- First-time buyer?
- Yes
- FTB definition
- Has not owned in past 3 years.
- Minimum FICO
- 640
- Income limit
- Typically ≤80% Orange County AMI — verify on city chart.
- Homebuyer education
- HUD-approved 8-hour course.
Repayment terms
0% interest, deferred silent second. Some variants include shared-appreciation recapture. Due at sale, refinance, or end of owner-occupancy.
Term
30 years
Interest
0% (deferred)
Due at
Sale, refinance, or end of owner-occupancy
Property rules
- Eligible property types
- Single-family residence, Condo, Townhome
- Maximum purchase price
- Santa Ana city limits only.
- Owner-occupancy required
- 30 years
Layering & first mortgage options
How to apply
Process: First-come, first-served while funds last.
Funding cycle: Active for 2026. Orange County's most consistent city-level DPA.
Typical timeline: 45-60 days.
Things that trip borrowers up
- Santa Ana city limits only — Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach do NOT qualify.
- Anaheim has historically been inconsistent — do not assume OC city DPA exists outside Santa Ana without verifying.