Lender Participation Guide

Lender Participation Guide

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (DR-HBA) Program

This Participation Guide is intended solely for mortgage professionals. It provides lenders and real estate professionals with comprehensive program guidelines and outlines the steps for participating in or originating DR-HBA Program transactions. The guide is organized into tabs below for convenient reference.

NOTE: Homebuyers looking to apply for DR-HBA Program (aka ReCoverCA HBA Program) should reach out to a ReCoverCA HBA Lender for detailed program guidelines, interest rates, APRs, and the application.

Click on the tabs below to display contents.

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

The household income limit is set at 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or below, based on household size and the county of the property. For full Program Policies, please refer to the Program Term Sheets above.

Purchase Property Eligibility

Eligible properties must be located outside of both a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area and a CalFire High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

Reservation System
Forms / Checklists - Fire Recovery Allocations
Forms / Checklists - Flood Recovery Allocations
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
Current Funding
Updated November 10, 2025
2023/24 Flood Recovery

Homebuyer assistance funds for the 2023 and 2024 flood events are available for reservation.

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2017 and 2018 Fire Recovery

The 2017 and 2018 allocations for fire recovery have been re-opened for reservation of remaining funds.

2017 Qualifying Disaster Areas

  • Sonoma County
  • Ventura County
  • Zip Code 93108 (Santa Barbara County)
  • Zip Code 95422 (Lake County)
  • Zip Code 95470 (Mendocino County)
  • Zip Code 94558 (Napa County)
  • Zip Code 95901 (Yuba County)

2018 Qualifying Disaster Areas

  • Butte County
  • Lake County
  • Los Angeles County
  • Shasta County

ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (DR-HBA) Program

Forgivable Loans for Eligible Households Impacted by 2023/24 Floods

Homeownership Made Possible with up to $300,000 in Assistance

Program Description

The ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program provides up to $300,000 in forgivable loan assistance to help low- and moderate-income households impacted by the 2023 and 2024 California floods to help them purchase homes in safer areas of California.

Learn More

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