Lender Participation Guide

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (DR-HBA) Program

Information in this Participation Guide is intended for mortgage professionals only. The guide provides lenders (and real estate professionals) with complete program policies and an understanding of the steps to take to begin participating in and/or originating DR-HBA Program transactions. It is organized into tabs below for easy reference.

NOTE: Homebuyers interested in applying for the DR-HBA Program, please contact a ReCoverCA HBA Lender for complete program policies, eligibility guidelines, interest rates and APRs, and a program application.

Click on the tabs below to display contents.

DR-HBA Term Sheets
Program Updates (Single-Family Bulletins)
Income Limits

Household Income Limit of 80% Area Median Income (AMI) and below, based on household size and county of property. Please refer to the Program Term Sheets above for complete Program Policies.

Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer

See CalFire’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer to determine whether a property is located inside or outside of High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Please refer to the Program Term Sheets above for complete Program Policies regarding Applicant Eligiblity and Property Eligibility.

Homebuyer Education

See Homebuyer Education tab for full details.

Reservation System
Homebuyer Education

DR-HBA Program Applicants must complete a Homebuyer Education class prior to loan closing provided by HUD approved counseling agency eHome. The required education includes an 8-hour online Homebuyer Education Course and a 1-hour one-on one(1:1) Counseling Follow-up Session. Homebuyer education is independent, expert advice customized to the needs of a homebuyer to help achieve their housing goals.

The course provided through eHome is the only online course accepted for the DR-HBA Program. The fee is $99 and can be paid from the HBA Loan funds (Use coupon code GOLDEN for $5 off). A certificate of completion will be issued to the homebuyer after the online education and follow up 1:1 counseling have been completed.

The 8-hour online class will include the following elements:

  • The decision to purchase a home including selection and intake process
  • Client budget, housing affordability and home maintenance
  • Issues arising during or affecting the period of ownership of a home (including financing, refinancing, default and foreclosure, and other financial decisions)
  • The sale or other disposition of a home
  • A client action plan
Homebuyer Education
Use coupon code GOLDEN
for $5 off.
US Bank Approval (Master Servicer)

Obtain approval as a Correspondent Lender with Servicer, US Bank, HFA Division

  • Website: www.hfa.usbank.com
  • Toll-free (800) 562-5165 (no voice mail)
  • E-mail:
GSFA Approval

Complete and return to GSFA signed copies of the following documents:

US Bank Support
  • Lender Management
    • For new or reactivation package requests, general inquiries on new or existing lenders, all existing account inquiries.
    • E-mail:
  • Client Support
    • For HFA program related inquiries.
    • 1-800-562-5165, Option 2
    • E-mail:
  • HFA Customer Care
    • Contact for post-closing/pre-funding status requests, questions on deficiencies, pooling, and post-closing/pre-funding policies and procedures.
    • 1-800-562-5165, Option 1
    • E-mail:
  • Lenders can also refer to the HFA Lending Directory that is in the Lending Guide in AllRegs.
    • Website: www.usbank.com/correspondent
    • Scroll down to ‘Discover customized partnerships for HFA lending’ section
    • Select the Select the ‘HFA Guidelines’ link
Lender / Realtor Training

We provide a variety of resources to help mortgage and real estate professionals in understanding and utilizing the GSFA homeownership programs on our Lender/Realtor Training page.

These include:

  • Online Webinars
  • In-Person Events
  • Lender Updates & Insights Videos
  • Additional Resources
Lender Training

View the Training Calendar and other resources.

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (DR-HBA) Program

Homebuyer Assistance up to $350,000 per Household

Imagine what $350,000 can do to help you get back on your feet and recover some peace of mind.

Program Overview

The ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program features homebuyer assistance of up to $350,000 to help low- to moderate-income (LMI) households who lived in a high or very high Fire Hazard Severity Zone at the time of eligible 2018 and 2020 California wildfires. This assistance is intended to help them purchase a home in California outside of these hazardous areas.

Read More

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Training & Education

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Golden State Finance Authority

Our organization has been providing financial assistance programs for homebuyers and property owners in California since 1993.

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