5th District - Home Ownership Program
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First Time Home Buyer Programs
The Housing & Workforce Solutions (HWS) has programs for First Time Home Buyers which provide down payment assistance that will allow qualified families to purchase a home. These funds are allocated from various sources (HOME FTHB, PLHA FTHB, & ARPA FTHB) and may have differing requirements.
What is the First Time Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance Programs (HOME FTHB, PLHA FTHB, ARPA FTHB)?
The Riverside County FTHB Programs are designed to provide assistance to lower income persons in the purchase of their first home. Assistance may be provided for the down payment in the purchase of a home. The amount of assistance available depends upon the buyer’s qualifications and the price of the home. In general, a buyer may only receive what they need, up to 20 % of the purchase price of the home.
Is there Closing Cost assistance available?
Closing cost assistance is only available from limited funds, on a first come, first serve through the ARPA FTHB only at this time.
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Program Update
| PLHA FTHB Limited Funds Remaining for These Specific Cities ONLY | |
| Participating Cities Allowed: | Remaining Funds currently: |
| Cathedral City | $ 47,453.60 |
| Lake Elsinore | $ 120,614.85 |
| Moreno Valley | $ 204,121.98 |
| Palm Springs | $ 18,296.27 |
| Temecula | $ 42,682.89 |
Remaining PLHA FTHB funds by City
- Totals Last Updated: 4/15/2024
- From RivCo PLHA FTHB Bulletin 6 details located here: https://rivcohws.org/sites/g/files/aldnop131/files/Housing/Resources/GuidelinesAndUpdates/20232024/FTHB_Bulletin_6_PLHA_FTHB_LimitedFundsAvailableForSelectCities.pdf
Know a low-income mobile homeowner who needs repairs?
| 5th District mobile homeowners: | 1st–4th District manufactured homeowners: |
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How to Apply
1. If you are a first-time homebuyer whose income is within the Program limits, ....
If you are a first-time homebuyer whose income is within the Program limits, the first step is to contact a HOME participating lenders or PLHA participating lenders for eligibility screening. The lender will take a loan application at this time and pre-qualify you for a first loan and the FTHB Program. The lender will also determine the maximum home price that you can afford.
2. If you are a Section 8 Family Self Sufficiency Program participant and ....
If you are a Section 8 Family Self Sufficiency Program participant and/or first-time homebuyer whose income is within the Program limits, the first step is to contact a participating lender for eligibility screening. The lender will take a loan application at this time and pre-qualify you for a first loan and the FTHB Program. The lender will determine the maximum home price that you can afford, and will also determine whether you are eligible for assistance under the County of Riverside FTHB Program.
3. After the lender has determined if you are eligible for the program, ....
After the lender has determined if you are eligible for the program, you will need to attend an 8 hour homebuyer education class for the FTHB Program. The lender will provide the names and phone numbers of approved homebuyer education providers, and you will need to call one of the providers to schedule a class. There may be a minimal charge to attend this class, which may be an eligible expense for FTHB assistance.
4. Once you are pre-qualified for the program and have a maximum home price, ....
Once you are pre-qualified for the program and have a maximum home price, you may locate a home to purchase. If you are interested in an existing home, it is recommended that you contact a Realtor to assist you in locating a home to purchase. Note: Make sure that you look for homes in participating locations for this program.
5. Once you have located a home, you will need to make a purchase offer and start escrow. ....
Once you have located a home, you will need to make a purchase offer and start escrow. Your real estate representative or new home salesperson and your lender can assist in this process. You must provide a Homeownership Notice to the sellers as an addendum to the purchase contract (your lender can provide you with a copy of this Notice). Once your purchase offer is accepted and escrow begins, your lender will assist you in completing the application materials for the FTHB Program.
6. During escrow your lender will process your loan application for the first mortgage and FTHB Second mortgage. ....
During escrow your lender will process your loan application for the first mortgage and FTHB Second mortgage. You will be required to sign forms authorizing the lender to submit a FTHB Reservation on your behalf and disclosing your current income from all sources. Prior to the close of escrow you will sign loan documents and both the first and second mortgages will be funded.
7. When escrow closes, you will become a homeowner and will be responsible for maintaining the property in sound condition. ....
When escrow closes, you will become a homeowner and will be responsible for maintaining the property in sound condition. You will begin making monthly payments on your first mortgage. The FTHB Second Mortgage will not require payments until you sell your property or a cash out refinance on the first mortgage. After the 15 year affordability period, the FTHB assistance is converted to a grant with no repayment of funds.
Brochures
- ARPA Information Packet - English [PDF-195KB]
- HOME Information Packet - English [PDF-315KB]
- PLHA Information Packet - English [PDF-356KB]
Income Chart & Purchase Price Chart
What are the qualifying incomes? In order to be eligible for this program, the buyers’ annual income (including asset income) shall not exceed the following income ceilings. Currently, the income limits are as follows:
Maximum Annual Household Income Adjusted for Household Size |
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Effective: July 1, 2024 |
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| Household Size | ARPA FTHB 120% AMI | HOME FTHB 80% AMI | PLHA FTHB 120% AMI |
| 1 | $81,900 | $57,400 | $81,900 |
| 2 | $93,600 | $65,600 | $93,600 |
| 3 | $105,300 | $73,800 | $105,300 |
| 4 | $117,000 | $82,000 | $117,000 |
| 5 | $126,350 | $88,600 | $126,350 |
| 6 | $135,700 | $95,150 | $135,700 |
| 7 | $145,100 | $101,650 | $145,100 |
| 8 | $154,450 | $108,250 | $154,450 |
| HOME / PLHA FTHB MAXIMUM PURCHASE PRICE | |
Effective: July 1, 2024 |
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| Property Type | Amount |
| New Construction Single-Family | $527,193 |
| Existing Single-Family Residence | $527,193 |
| New/Existing Condominium or Townhouse | $536,750 |
| Manufactured Home | $306,850 |
Eligible Locations
| ARPA FTHB | HOME FTHB | PLHA FTHB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Location |
Unincorporated areas & Cooperating Cities located in Supervisorial District 5 ONLY https://rivcodistrict5.org/district-5-map Excluding (4 other districts): |
Unincorporated areas & Cooperating Cities Excluding (15 cities) Cathedral City, Corona, Hemet, Indio, Jurupa Valley, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Perris, Rancho Mirage, Riverside & Temecula |
Unincorporated areas & Cooperating Cities Excluding (7 cities): Calimesa, Corona, Menifee, Palm Desert, Perris, Rancho Mirage, and Riverside |
In order to determine if a property is in an unincorporated area of Riverside County or within a city limit, please click here to use the TLMA mapping system.