Equity Share Down Payment Assistance Programs
Help with your down payment today by sharing a portion of future appreciation
Equity share programs are designed to help buyers overcome what is often the biggest barrier to homeownership, a substantial down payment. These programs make it possible to access more affordable home loan payment by providing a large upfront contribution toward the purchase.
Programs like CalHFA’s Dream For All and AC Boost provide funds toward a down payment with no interest and no monthly payments. In return, the program shares in a portion of the home’s future appreciation. Those funds can then be used to help future homebuyers while keeping pace with rising home values.
For the right buyer, these types of programs can make it possible to achieve homeownership years sooner rather than waiting on the sidelines while prices continue to rise
How Equity Share Programs Work
Equity share programs work differently than traditional down payment assistance. Instead of monthly payments or forgiveness schedules, these programs invest alongside you in the home.
Here is the basic structure.
The program contributes funds toward your down payment
You do not make monthly payments on that assistance
When you sell, refinance, or pay off the mortgage, the program receives:
Their original contribution
A defined share of the home’s appreciation
A Simple Example
If a program contributes 20 percent of your down payment, it may receive 20 percent of the appreciation when you exit the home. The exact structure depends on the specific program.
The tradeoff is straightforward. You need less cash today to access an affordable payment in exchange for sharing some future growth
Why Buyers Consider Equity Share Programs
Equity share programs are especially appealing in high cost areas like Northern California. Many buyers can afford the monthly payment of more modestly priced homes but struggle to save a large enough down payment to make homes in their desired neighborhoods realistic for their budgets.
Equity share programs help bridge that gap by increasing the effective down payment. This can open the door to homes that better align with a buyer’s location, lifestyle, commute, schools, and long term plans.
Buyers often use equity share programs to:
Buy a home sooner rather than waiting years to save
Reduce or eliminate PMI by increasing the effective down payment
Compete more confidently in tight housing markets
Preserve savings for emergencies and repairs
Begin building long term wealth through homeownership sooner rather than later
For many buyers, the challenge is not affording a home. It is affording the homes where they want to live.
Who Equity Share Programs Are Best For
Equity share programs are not designed for every buyer. They tend to work best for buyers who are financially stable but need help bridging the gap between what they can afford and where they want to live.
These programs are often a good fit for buyers who:
Can comfortably afford a monthly home payment
Are priced out of their preferred neighborhoods due to down payment size
Want to buy in areas with strong long term stability or appreciation
Prefer buying sooner rather than waiting years to save
Are comfortable sharing a portion of future appreciation in exchange for access today
Equity share programs may be less ideal for buyers who plan to sell quickly or who strongly prefer to retain one hundred percent of future appreciation.
This is why evaluating fit matters as much as eligibility.
Common Questions About Equity Share Programs
Is this a loan?
Not in the traditional sense. There are typically no monthly payments and no interest accruing over time. Repayment is tied to the future value of the home rather than a monthly schedule.
Do I lose control of my home?
No. You remain the homeowner. You choose how long you want to live in the home and when you sell or refinance. The assistance loan is recorded as a lien on the title to the home like any traditional mortgage.
What happens if my home does not increase in value?
Each program has its own rules. Appreciation sharing is generally proportional rather than guaranteed.
Why do these programs have limited funding or lotteries?
Equity share programs often offer large amounts of assistance per homebuyer. To remain sustainable, funds are recycled and reused as homes are sold or refinanced and values increase over time. Because of this structure, availability is often limited and timing matters
Example Equity Share Programs
Several equity share programs have been offered in Northern California in recent years. Availability, funding rounds, and eligibility requirements vary by program and change over time.
CalHFA Dream For All
A statewide shared appreciation program designed to help buyers with a large portion of their down payment in exchange for sharing future appreciation.
Application Window: Feb 24 to March 16, 2026
Next expected funding round: Spring 2026
Status: Funding cycles are limited and competitive
AC Boost
A shared appreciation down payment assistance program offered in Alameda County to support homeownership access in this higher cost market.
Next funding round: To be determined
Status: Funding availability varies
Home Access
A shared appreciation style program designed to help buyers bridge the gap between affordability and access in competitive housing markets.
Next funding round: To be determined
Status: Program availability varies
SF DALP (San Francisco down payment assistance loan program)
A deferred-payment, shared appreciation second loan that helps first-time buyers afford market-rate homes in San Francisco.
Next funding round: To be determined
Status: Limited Lottery Rounds
How We Help You Decide If Equity Share Makes Sense
Equity share programs can be powerful tools when used intentionally. They are not about stretching buyers beyond their comfort level. They are about aligning financing with long term goals.
We help buyers by:
Evaluating whether equity share programs align with neighborhood and lifestyle priorities
Comparing equity share options to other down payment assistance programs
Structuring the primary mortgage for short and long term savings and stability
Explaining tradeoffs clearly so buyers can make informed decisions
Sometimes equity share is the right approach. Sometimes another type of assistance makes more sense. Our role is to help you understand the difference and choose confidently.
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
Many buyers assume equity share programs are not an option for them. In reality, eligibility and fit are often broader than expected.
No obligation. Personalized guidance. Clear next steps.