California State Rural Development Programs

Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans in California

 

What does this program do? 
Also known as the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, this program assists low- and very-low-income applicants obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicant’s repayment ability. Payment assistance is a type of subsidy that reduces the mortgage payment for a short time. The amount of assistance is determined by the adjusted family income.

Who may apply for this program?
A number of factors are considered when determining an applicant’s eligibility for Single Family Direct Home Loans. At a minimum, applicants interested in obtaining a direct loan must have an adjusted income that is at or below the applicable low-income limit for the area where they wish to buy a house and they must demonstrate a willingness and ability to repay debt.

Applicants must:

• Be without decent, safe and sanitary housing
• Be unable to obtain a loan from other resources on terms and conditions that can reasonably be expected to meet
• Agree to occupy the property as your primary residence
• Have the legal capacity to incur a loan obligation
• Meet citizenship or eligible noncitizen requirements
• Not be suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs

Properties financed with direct loan funds must:

• Not have market value in excess of the applicable area loan limit
• Not be designed for income producing activities

Borrowers are required to repay all or a portion of the payment subsidy received over the life of the loan when the title to the property transfers or the borrower is no longer living in the dwelling.

Applicants must meet income eligibility for a direct loan.  Please select your state from the dropdown menu above.

What is an eligible rural area?
Utilizing the USDA Eligibility Site you can enter a specific address for determination or just search the map to review general eligible areas.

How may funds be used?
Loan funds may be used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas. Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate or relocate a home, or to purchase and prepare sites, including providing water and sewage facilities.

How much may I borrow?

Using the Single Family Housing Direct Self- Assessment tool, potential applicants may enter information online to determine if the Section 502 Direct Loan Program is a good fit for them prior to applying.  The tool will provide a preliminary review after a potential applicant enters information on their general household composition, monthly income, monthly debts, property location, estimated property taxes, and estimated hazard insurance.  Potential applicants are welcome to submit a complete application for an official determination by USDA Rural Development (RD) regardless of the self-assessment results.  Upon receipt of a complete application, RD will determine the applicant’s eligibility using verified information and the applicant’s maximum loan amount based on their repayment ability and the area loan limit for the county in which the property is located.

What is the interest rate and payback period?

• Effective March 1, 2024, the current interest rate for Single Family Housing Direct home loans is 4.5% for low-income and very low-income borrowers.
• Fixed interest rate based on current market rates at loan approval or loan closing, whichever is lower
• Interest rate when modified by payment assistance, can be as low as 1%
• Up to 33 year payback period – 38 year payback period for very low income applicants who can’t afford the 33 year loan term

How much down payment is required?
No down payment is typically required. Applicants with assets higher than the asset limits may be required to use a portion of those assets.

Is there a deadline to apply?
Applications for this program are accepted through your local RD office year round.

 

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in California

 

NOTE: California is currently participating in a pilot program that increases the program limits. Grants are available up to $10,000 (up from $7,500) and loans are available up to $40,000 (up from $20,000) with a maximum of $50,000 (up from $27,500) assistance. Contact our staff to learn more.

What does this program do? 
Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

Who may apply for this program?
To qualify, you must:

• Be the homeowner and occupy the house
• Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
• Have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county
• For grants, be age 62 or older

What is an eligible rural area?
Utilizing the USDA Eligibility Site you can enter a specific address for determination or just search the map to review general eligible areas.

How may funds be used?

• Loans may be used to repair, improve or modernize homes or remove health and safety hazards
• Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards

How much money can I get?

• Maximum loan is $40,000
• Maximum grant is $10,000
• Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance

What are the terms of the loan or grant?

• Loans are termed for 20 years
• Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
• Full title service is required if the total outstanding balance on Section 504 loans is greater than $25,000
• Grants have a lifetime limit of $10,000
• Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years

Is there a deadline to apply? 

• Applications for this program are accepted through your local RD office year round

How long does an application take? 
Approval times depend on funding availability in your area. Talk to a USDA home loan specialist in your area for help with the application

Who can answer questions and how do I get started?
Contact a USDA home loan specialist in your area