Updated August 2026

California county employees may qualify for a specialized version of the Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Platinum assistance program called Assist-to-Own. It can reduce the cash needed to buy a primary residence.

Important: Program availability, assistance amounts, pricing, and underwriting rules can change. Confirm current terms with a participating lender before making an offer.

How Assist-to-Own works

The primary assistance is currently a deferred second mortgage equal to 3.5% of the first-mortgage loan amount.

0% interest on the second mortgage
No monthly payment on the second mortgage
Repayment when the home is sold or the first mortgage is refinanced
A possible additional gift of up to 2%, subject to market conditions

When the maximum gift is available, total assistance may reach 5.5%. “Up to” matters: the actual amount, mortgage rate, APR, fees, and eligibility depend on the loan scenario and terms available when the loan is reserved.

Who may qualify?

At least one borrower must work directly for a participating GSFA member county, and that employment must be verified. Eligibility is based on the county employer—not where the employee currently lives.

The home may be purchased anywhere in California if it will be the borrower’s primary residence. GSFA does not require every Assist-to-Own borrower to be a first-time buyer, although the selected first-mortgage program may have additional requirements.

Eligible county employers

As of August 2026, GSFA lists these member counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, and Yuba.

Because county participation can change, verify your employer’s status before relying on the program.

A simple example

On a $500,000 first mortgage, 3.5% equals $17,500 in deferred assistance. If a 2% gift were also available, that could add $10,000. The example illustrates the math only—it is not a quote or promise of eligibility.

Benefits and tradeoffs

Potential benefit: Less cash needed at closing may help you buy sooner or preserve emergency savings.

Important tradeoff: The assistance can affect first-mortgage pricing and the deferred second must eventually be repaid. Compare the full loan cost with a standard mortgage, not just the amount due at closing.

Questions to ask before applying

Is my county employer currently eligible?
How much assistance is available today?
What rate, APR, and fees apply with and without assistance?
When must the deferred second be repaid?
How much cash will I need for reserves, inspections, and closing?

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy outside the county where I work?

Generally, yes. The property may be anywhere in California if it will be your primary residence and the loan meets current program rules.

Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer?

Not necessarily under the Assist-to-Own feature itself, but the chosen first-mortgage program may have separate requirements.

Is all of the assistance a gift?

No. The core 3.5% assistance is a repayable deferred second mortgage. Any additional gift depends on current market and program availability.

Get a side-by-side comparison

If you work for a California county, I can compare Assist-to-Own with other financing options and show the estimated cash-to-close, payment, and long-term cost in plain language.

Apply Here

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