First-Time Buyer Programs and Grants in California: Brentwood Guide 2026

If you are buying your first home in Brentwood or anywhere in Contra Costa County, the down payment is usually the hardest part. The good news is that real help exists. The catch is that most of it is not free money, and the programs open and close as funding comes and goes. Here is what is actually available in 2026, what each one costs you later, and how to apply.

Checked against official program sources in October 2026. Amounts, limits and deadlines change, so confirm current terms with the program or an approved lender before you rely on any of them.

Are there first-time buyer grants in Brentwood and Contra Costa?

A few, but true grants are rare. Most help that gets called a "grant" is a deferred loan: you make no monthly payment on it, but you pay it back when you sell, refinance or the loan term ends. That can still be a very good deal. Before you count on any program, ask which of these three types it is:

• Gift or grant. Never repaid. The closest example below is GSFA Platinum, which offers some options as a gift.
• Deferred loan. No monthly payment, repaid later, sometimes with interest. CalHFA MyHome, Home Access and the City of Brentwood program work this way.
• Shared appreciation. Repaid when you sell, plus a share of what the home gained in value. California Dream For All works this way.

Who counts as a first-time buyer?

Usually not just people buying their very first home. Many programs, including Home Access and the City of Brentwood program, count you as a first-time buyer if you have not owned a home in the past three years. So someone who owned years ago and has rented since may qualify. Each program sets its own definition, and some, like GSFA Platinum, have no first-time requirement at all. Check the rule for the specific program you want.

State programs: CalHFA

The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) runs the main statewide programs. You apply through a CalHFA-approved lender, not through CalHFA directly, and the assistance is paired with a CalHFA first mortgage.

MyHome Assistance Program

A deferred-payment junior loan for down payment or closing costs. It covers up to the lesser of 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value with a CalHFA FHA first loan, or 3% with a conventional first loan. It is for first-time buyers who will live in the home, and you repay it later. CalHFA says interest rates vary, so ask the lender for the current terms. Homebuyer education is required; CalHFA lists an eight-hour online course from eHome as one option.

California Dream For All

Up to 20% of the purchase price or appraised value for first-generation buyers, which can remove the need for mortgage insurance. It is a shared appreciation loan: when you sell, the state recovers the assistance plus a share of the home's appreciation. Income limits vary by county. The 2026 application window ran February 24 to March 16, 2026, so if you missed it, watch CalHFA for the next round.

Local programs in Contra Costa and Brentwood

Home Access (Housing Trust Silicon Valley)

Home Access serves first-time buyers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties with household income up to 80% of area median income. It lends up to 40% of the purchase price, from $100,000 up to $200,000, as a 30-year deferred loan at 3% simple interest. You contribute at least 3% of the price, and the purchase price is capped by county. It runs first come, first complete while funds last, per the program's June 2026 guidelines.

City of Brentwood Down Payment Assistance Program

The City of Brentwood has offered a deferred-payment loan of up to $10,000 for first-time buyers with household income below 120% of area median income, buying within city limits, with limited funds on a first-come basis. The city's current affordable housing page does not list it, so call the city's housing staff to confirm it is funded before you build a plan around it.

A statewide option that can be a gift: GSFA Platinum

The Golden State Finance Authority's Platinum program offers up to 5.5% of the first mortgage amount anywhere in California. Some options are a gift that does not have to be repaid; others are a second loan, including a zero-interest deferred option. You do not have to be a first-time buyer, and income limits apply by county. It also caps the first mortgage amount, so check that limit against Brentwood home prices before you plan around it.

Loan types that lower the down payment

These are not assistance programs, but they change how much cash you need, and several programs above pair with them.

• FHA loans allow a down payment as low as 3.5% for qualifying buyers, with mortgage insurance. Loan limits are set by county, so check the current Contra Costa limit with your lender or on HUD's site.
• VA loans require no down payment as long as the price is not above the appraised value, and they carry no private mortgage insurance. Most buyers pay a one-time VA funding fee. If you served, start with my VA home loans page.

For a fuller look at how much cash you actually need, see How Much Do You Really Need for a Down Payment in California?

How to apply, step by step

1. Talk to a lender approved for the program. Not every lender offers CalHFA, Home Access or GSFA. Ask before you apply.
2. Take the homebuyer education course early. Most programs require it, and the certificate can hold up your loan if you wait.
3. Get pre-approved with the assistance built in. Your pre-approval letter should reflect the program you are using. Here is why pre-approval comes before touring.
4. Budget for the costs assistance may not cover. Closing costs, and in many Brentwood neighborhoods Mello-Roos special taxes, affect your monthly payment and approval. See closing costs in the East Bay and how to check what an address owes in Mello-Roos.
5. Write offers with realistic timelines. Some programs need extra review time before closing. Ask your lender how long theirs takes and set your contract dates to match.

Questions to ask before you choose a program

• Do I ever pay this back, and when?
• Does it charge interest, or take a share of my home's appreciation?
• Can I combine it with my first loan or with another program?
• What are the income and purchase price limits for Contra Costa right now?
• Is funding open today, and how long does approval take?

My first-time home buyer page covers the whole process, and the First-Time Home Buyer's Guide to Brentwood walks through what to expect from offer to keys.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• California Housing Finance Agency, MyHome Assistance Program: calhfa.ca.gov/homebuyer/programs/myhome.htm
• California Housing Finance Agency, press release, January 16, 2026 (California Dream For All 2026)
• Housing Trust Silicon Valley, Home Access Program Policies and Procedures, updated June 12, 2026
• Golden State Finance Authority, GSFA Platinum Program: gsfahome.org
• City of Brentwood, Down Payment Assistance Program brochure, and Affordable Housing page: brentwoodca.gov
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA-backed purchase loans: va.gov
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, FHA minimum down payment: answers.hud.gov

Want to know which of these fit your budget in Brentwood? Call or text me at 925-250-9611, and I will connect you with a lender who works with these programs.

Jaz Chand, The Jaz Team | Homes With Accent at Merrill Signature Properties, DRE #01751823

General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Program terms change. Confirm current details with the program, an approved lender, or a qualified professional.