What you can get
Possible down-payment help through a second loan
Who it's for
Income-qualified first-time buyers in participating locations, including Desert Hot Springs
What you need to know
- You must qualify for the first mortgage through a participating lender.
- Household income, home price and location limits apply.
- Homebuyer education and long-term loan conditions apply.
More details and sources
Full program information
Official program name: Riverside County HOME first-time homebuyer assistance
Benefits and limits
Conditional down-payment assistance of up to 20% of the eligible purchase price through a silent second mortgage.
Full requirements
Income-qualified first-time buyers must use a participating lender, qualify for a first mortgage and complete required homebuyer education. HOME targets households at or below 80% of area median income, with purchase-price limits and eligible-location rules that include Desert Hot Springs. The second mortgage carries affordability and repayment conditions, with forgiveness possible after 15 years; closing-cost assistance is currently unavailable.
Read the program's requirements Checked Oct 30, 2026
Key requirements, not the complete provider checklist. Final eligibility, address and funding decisions belong to the provider.
Other conditions
Contact a county-approved lender for screening and a funding reservation before relying on assistance. The latest posted August 24, 2026 bulletin listed remaining HOME funds; that balance is not a promise of funds on the application date.
Availability and area
Provider confirmation needed
Listed by the provider. Confirm current enrollment, appointments or funding with the provider; participation and assistance require its review.
Riverside County program with coverage that includes eligible Desert Hot Springs households; all other household, property and funding rules still apply.
Areas listed in the source
Desert Hot Springs
Where this information comes from
Riverside County Housing & Workforce Solutions - official program information
Information collected Oct 30, 2026.
Direct official-source review on October 30, 2026. This listing summarizes the program; the provider decides eligibility and approval.
DHSed is an independent guide. The program makes the final decision about help, amounts and rules.