California Dream For All Program Offers Up to $150,000 for First-Generation Southern California Buyers

Registration for the lottery-based down payment assistance program closes on March 16, 2026.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) has opened registration for the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program, giving eligible first-generation homebuyers across Southern California an opportunity to obtain mortgage pre-approval and enter the program's statewide lottery. The Dream For All program may provide up to $150,000 toward a down payment and closing costs through a shared-appreciation loan with no monthly payments while the homeowner occupies the property. Anaheim-based mortgage broker Robert Peters of Bridge One Capital is assisting eligible buyers with the pre-approval process before the March 16 registration deadline.

Why it matters

The Dream For All program is designed to help first-generation homebuyers in Southern California, a region with high housing costs, secure down payment assistance and enter the housing market. This can be a transformative opportunity for families to build generational wealth through homeownership.

The details

To be eligible, applicants must be first-time homebuyers, meet income limits based on county (up to $164,000 in Riverside and San Bernardino, $168,000 in Los Angeles, and $216,000 in Orange County), complete homebuyer education, and obtain a mortgage pre-approval from a CalHFA-approved lender before registering for the lottery. The program distributes funding through a statewide randomized lottery rather than a first-come process. Bridge One Capital is assisting buyers with the pre-approval process to ensure they are prepared if selected.

  • The Dream For All registration portal closes on March 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM PST.
  • When the program previously launched, approximately $300 million in funding was exhausted in just 11 days.

The players

Bridge One Capital

A Southern California mortgage brokerage headquartered in Anaheim that is assisting eligible buyers with the Dream For All program pre-approval process.

Robert Peters

The founder of Bridge One Capital, with over 25 years of mortgage lending experience, who is known for his structured 'Deal-Proofing' loan preparation process.

California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA)

The state agency that has opened registration for the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program.

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What they’re saying

“For a first-generation buyer, being selected for Dream For All is not just a financial event — it can be a generational one.”

— Robert Peters, Founder, Bridge One Capital (EINPresswire)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The California Dream For All program presents a unique opportunity for first-generation homebuyers in Southern California to access significant down payment assistance and enter the housing market, which can be transformative for building generational wealth. However, the limited funding and registration window require eligible buyers to act quickly to secure a mortgage pre-approval and enter the lottery before the March 16 deadline.