Development Services

The Program is designed to assist low- and moderate-income families traditionally underrepresented in homeownership with purchasing their first home and building multi-generational wealth. Approximately 100 households will receive up to $20,000 to be used towards the following costs:

• Down payment
• Non-recurring closing costs, such as loan, title, and escrow fees
• Loan points or fees to buy down their mortgage interest rates 
  
  

For questions or help completing the application, please contact the City’s program partner, FORWARD, at 855.582.3973 or FirstTimeHomebuyer-support@livestories.zendesk.com

Application Process:

• Complete applications will be processed in the order that they are received. The application will remain open until the Program funding has been committed. Due to the high level of interest, eligible residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
• Eligible applicants will receive a Preliminary Qualification Notice. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis when a qualified applicant opens escrow on an eligible home.
• Applications will be available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, as well as other languages by request.
• Hard copies of the application will be available upon request.

Application Support Videos:

• How to Apply to the Long Beach First Time Homebuyers Assistance Program - YouTube
• How to Create an Account for the Long Beach Home Buyer Grant - YouTube

Attend a Program Orientation Session to learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process: 

Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Long Beach Energy Resources Auditorium
2400 E. Spring St.
RSVP online to attend

• 2nd Homeowner Workshop Flyer - English
• 2nd Homeowner Workshop Flyer - Spanish
• 2nd Homeowner Workshop Flyer - Khmer
• 2nd Homewoner Workshop Flyer - Tagalog 

We held five in-person and virtual Program Orientation Sessions throughout the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) areas of Long Beach. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process, please view the recording of the virtual Orientation Session.

• Orientation Session (English)
• Orientation Session (Spanish)
• Orientation Session (Khmer)
  
  

Complete a pre-application self-screening form to see if you are eligible to apply for the Program. To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Household income must not exceed150% of the Los Angeles County Area Median Income (AMI).

• Be a first-time homebuyer, defined as a someone who has not owned a home in the past three years.
• Be a first-generation homebuyer, defined as someone whose parents or guardian never owned a home during the homebuyer’s lifetime or who lost the home to a foreclosure or short sale and does not own a home now. Anyone who lived in foster care also qualifies as a first-generation homebuyer.
• Currently live in a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) qualified area in Long Beach.
  • If you're viewing on a Desktop: Select the link here to view a CDBG map. Click on the magnifying glass on the top left banner, and type in your current address. Your address will appear on the map. If your address is within the purple areas on the map, it is in a CDBG-designated area. You may need to zoom in/out on the map (use the +/- buttons at the bottom left of the map) to see if your address is inside the purple areas.
  • If you're viewing on a Mobile device: Select the link here to view a CDBG map. Enter your address into the search bar at the top. If the search bar does not appear, click on the "Long Beach, CA CDBG Map" section at the bottom of the page to open up the panel. If your address is within the purple areas on the map, it is in a CDBG-designated area. You may need to zoom in/out on the map (pinch the map) to see if your address is inside the purple areas.
• Be pre-approved by a lender for a 30-year fixed mortgage loan. Cash purchases are not eligible.

• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program Guidelines (English)
  
• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program Guidelines (Spanish)
• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program Guidelines (Khmer)
• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program Guidelines (Tagalog)

• FAQ (English) 
• FAQ (Spanish)
• FAQ (Khmer)
• FAQ (Tagalog)

For more information, please contact the City’s program partner, FORWARD, at 855-582-3973 or FirstTimeHomebuyer-support@livestories.zendesk.com.