GSFA is a California Joint Powers Authority and a duly constituted public entity and agency, the mission of which is to provide affordable housing and contribute to the social and economic well-being of California residents.
The Authority was organized in 1993 and exists under and by virtue of Articles 1-4 of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code of the State of California.
Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA), develops and administers programs that provide a source of financing for residential home purchases or refinances, commercial and residential energy efficiency improvement projects, multi‐family housing construction and rehabilitation projects and city and/or county infrastructure improvements.
GSFA has distinguished itself as a leader in housing finance in California for almost three decades, helping over 84,700 individuals and families purchase a home. GSFA has provided more than 651.2 million in down payment assistance and participated in financing of $1 billion in energy efficiency improvement projects.
Our relationships with lender and real estate professionals is vital to achieving our goals. We depend on our mortgage professionals to get the necessary assistance into the hands of the California borrowers who need it.
We treat our business partners with appreciation and respect. We listen to the needs of homebuyers and our business partners to adapt our programs to fit their goals and needs.
* Updated 04/04/2023
We found our forever home.
Homebuying during the pandemic seemed like an impossible thing to do. We spoke to our realtor. He was incredible at finding a lender that provides assistance with 1st time homebuyers. He told us we qualified for the gift (grant) and 2nd mortgage for a combine down payment assistance of over $20,000. This helped us enormously as it made it possible for us to make competitve offers in a competitive market.
— Carmen RodriguezLos Angeles County, January 2022
GSFA OpenDoors Program
Stablility and safety were a reality.
Becoming a homeowner became extremely important in providing stability for myself, my children and my mother who was battling cancer. Receiving this assistance granted us an opportunity that was previously out of reach. The grant allowed me to purchase a home where I could watch my children grow and care for my mother.
— Patricia WaggonerFresno County, January 2022
GSFA OpenDoors Program
Somewhere to finally call home.
After years of renting and saving we decided to look into buying our first home! Even with savings, the prospect of buying a house would not have been possible if not for the gracious help from GSFA... I would recommend, and have recommended, this program to fellow teachers looking to purchase their first home. I have mentioned to them how easy and how beneficial this program is in helping reach the goal of homeownership. Thanks to GSFA, we own our first home, somewhere we can be happy and safe, somewhere to finally call home.
— Victor Gutierrez CuellarSacramento County, February 2021
GSFA Platinum Program
GSFA made it possible to attain the American Dream.
With low interest rates and pre qualifying for a VA Loan I started looking for a home. My mortgage lender told me about the GSFA Program that I qualified for being employed as a state correctional officer. Not all mortgage companies are aware of this program for first responders. Other friends buying a home were not told about GSFA they were qualified for. Buying a home was easy after renting for so long. VA Home Loan; Axia Home Loans; and GSFA made it possible to attain the American Dream.
— Scott ShihadehLassen County, February 2021
GSFA Platinum Program
Buying a house during the COVID Pandemic was really stressful.
As a Healthcare worker, I am grateful for Jeff. If it wasn't for him I would still be renting my small apartment in Glendale. Living in California isn't easy when you're constantly being taxed and facing an upward battle of constant financial hardships. Buying a house during COVID Pandemic was really stressful, especially when caring for others in the Emergency Department. This loan really meant the world to me because my kids no longer have to share a bedroom together and for this I'm appreciative.
— Juan RonQuilloLos Angeles County, February 2021
GSFA Platinum Program
We needed the space…
I was prompt to purchase a home because I was living in a 2 bed 1 bath duplex with 4 children. We needed the space and when I went looking at homes 4 rent that were bigger. The price they were asking for rent was the amount you would pay in a mortgage. My loan officer was the one who told me about the GSFA program and when he did I felt like it was God who okayed my decision in purchasing a home. I would definitely [sic] recommend this program to everyone. I would tell them don't lose faith in the cost. Use the grant that's available to us.— Shuntina BryantLos Angeles County, August 2021
GSFA OpenDoors Program
It was all worthwhile.
Coming up with that initial down payment is hard. I thought I had saved enough but with pre & closing costs it just wasn't going to work. I wouldn't have been able to make the purchase without the assistance. It was a no brainer. With the help of GSFA I was able to make an offer and find a home. The approval and home buying process is definitely a big paperwork effort and an intimidating responsibility, but the minute the keys were mine, it was all worthwhile.— Angela LandisLos Angeles County, March 2018
GSFA Platinum Program
Magnificent.
Helping one of the baby boomers that ask 'how didn't we lose on the last Vegas "Bust" after the largest Builder in the nation with the largest Banks offering loans they shouldn't have. In a two week period Sept-October 2004, is when the dominos started to [sic] fall. Needless to say we went bankrupt. Thank you to the person involved giving us a second chance after such a huge loss.— Marilyn AdamsTulare County, January 2018
GSFA Platinum Program
I recommend this program to every one….
I would like to thank the GSFA for providing the open doors program. Without it, it would have been another year or more for me and my wife to purchase our first home! We are very grateful and I recommend this program to every one I meet who is looking to purchase a home!— David RosalesRiverside County, August 2021
GSFA OpenDoors Program
This program is beyond amazing.
GSFA Platinum down payment assistance made our dream of owning a home possible. Without the generous help we would still be renting. We never realized how much of a down or closing costs we would need until the numbers were in front of us. Our loan officer quickly reassured us with this amazing program that eased our mind of the stressful process of buying a home. We're blessed to own a beautiful home which wouldn't have happened without the extra help. This program is beyond amazing. Thank you so very much.— Michael WatkinsTehama County - March, 2018
GSFA Platinum Program
I qualified for a grant of $13,671.
When I found the home I wanted, I didn’t have enough $$$ for a down payment. I thought I’d have to borrow some $$$. But, as I was going through the application process, I was informed that I qualified for a grant of $13,671. My home closed. I was given the keys. My dog and I ran around inside, with joy, until we were exhausted.— Kristi EllefsenKern County, July 2017
GSFA Platinum Program
I got so excited…
I would like to thank GSFA so much for the $15,034 you provided in down payment assistance. It is so greatly appreciated and helped me out so much! I was extremely motivated to buy my First home just wasn't sure I was ready yet because I didn't have the total amount needed to be able to pay for my down payment and closing costs and that's when a friend told me about the Platinum down payment assistance [sic] program. When I closed escrow it was one of the best days of my life. Thank you so much GSFA. Please continue to do great work!— Jerome WilliamsLos Angeles County, March 2018
GSFA Platinum Program
I'm a first-time homebuyer…
Without this program my dream of owning a home may not have happened. I thank God for this program because it allowed me to achieve my goal. I'm a first time home buyer who didn't know a lot about the ins and outs of the real estate business and this program helped me in a very big way. So thanks everyone who had a hand in making my dream goal work.— Melanie HamiltonSan Joaquin County, March 2018
GSFA Platinum Program
I am so thankful…
I lost my first home after my husband died and I had no income. I got a job and waited the time required and applied for a home loan. I work for minimum wage now and I am on social security but I still qualified. I would not have been able to buy without the help of the down payment assistance program. I love my new home and I am so thankful for this program.— Brenda DudleyFresno County, April 2018
GSFA Platinum Program
We had been looking for a couple years
My wife and I can't thank you enough for the $. We had been looking for couple of years. Summer of 2016 had a financial set back and had to use our down payment $. Then the summer of 2017 we found a new realtor and finance guy (Prime Lending) and he told us about you. A few months later we are in our first home. Again we would like to thank you. Too bad more people do not know about you. There are a lot of lenders that don't know about your program.— Jeff MoserSacramento County, March 2018
GSFA Platinum Program
The $12,029 Grant that we received…
The $12,029 Grant that we received through the GSFA Platinum Program really helped to offset the down payment and closing costs on our mortgage loan with Skyline Financial Corp. Because we didn't have enough money saved. We were extremely thankful for the Grant because we were in the need of a bigger home for our family. Having a child makes it difficult to save money especially because our only income is from my husband's job. Thanks to the grant with the money we had saved up managed to buy new furniture and gardening supplies for our house. If we wouldn't of had this grant it would of been difficult for us to buy these special things we needed for our home. Thanks for this Grant and may God bless you all to keep helping more families like ours.— Jorge ReinaLos Angeles County, September 2017
GSFA Platinum Program
It took a huge weight off of home buying process.
Thank you for the amazing program. The grant that was provided allowed me to focus on other issues that come with purchasing a new home. My reaction to the program was disbelief, however, it took a huge weight off of the homebuying process. I want to thank all of you at Golden State Finance [sic] Authority for your wonderful generosity. And for having this superb program. I recommend to all!!— Dustin KingLassen County, February 2021
GSFA Platinum Program