Pathway to Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program

Pathway to Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program is sponsored by California Association of REALTORS® (C. A. R.)

Housing Affordability Fund. This program provides closing cost grants to first-time homebuyers who are members of an "Underserved Community" in California.

Pathway To Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program Californians for Homeownership Californians for Homeownership was founded in response to the Legislature’s call to fight local anti-housing policies and expand affordable housing for millions of Californians. CARES is C. A.

R’s philanthropic framework to amplify the work, coordinate fundraising and broaden support of C. A. R.

’s four charitable causes – Housing Affordability Fund, Scholarship Foundation, Education Foundation, and Disaster Relief Fund. Champions of Home Impact Awards The Champions of Home Impact Awards honor California REALTORS® who have made a significant impact on their communities through volunteer efforts.

Housing Affordability Fund Program HAF plays an active role in addressing the ongoing housing affordability challenges facing California. Disaster Relief: Grant Programs & Resources C. A.

R. stands ready to assist REALTORS® who have been impacted by wildfires through its Disaster Relief Fund and NAR's REALTORS® Relief Foundation. California Disaster Resources Scholarships for California students planning to pursue a career in real estate.

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YPN is a network to sharpen your skills, heighten your leadership, and connect with fellow REALTORS®. Download and share the official 2026 C. A.

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s annual consumer advertising campaign creates awareness of the REALTOR® brand and demonstrates the many benefits of the consumer-REALTOR® relationship. Smart Zone provides tools and insights necessary to convey your unique value proposition, effectively market your services, keep your clients abreast of current real estate market trends and help you achieve success in a dynamic industry. 2026 C.

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A. R. is a statewide trade association dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate.

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Complete transactions and contracts electronically through zipForm®. REALTOR® Secure Transaction Realtor® Secure Transaction is your place to discover, access and master the essential tools for a modern, efficient and secure transaction. Transactions - zipForm Edition Transaction management and forms software with all the must-have features, including current statewide contracts, local forms, and more.

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® Real Estate Conference & Expo is where learning takes center stage and where business solutions and connections are at the forefront of the real estate industry. AI NOW: Stay Ahead of What's Next AI NOW: Stay Ahead of What’s Next is where you will get tips, tools and strategies to win more listings, market smarter, and close faster. Your one-stop calendar for C.

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This information is designed for Real Estate Brokers and Office Managers to assist you in supporting your real estate business. Resources to help you stay informed about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in real estate Homeowners Insurance Resources Discover homeowner insurance resources from C. A.

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in our community and foundation programs. Californians for Homeownership Californians for Homeownership was founded in response to the Legislature’s call to fight local anti-housing policies and expand affordable housing for millions of Californians. CARES is C.

A. R’s philanthropic framework to amplify the work, coordinate fundraising and broaden support of C. A.

R. ’s four charitable causes – Housing Affordability Fund, Scholarship Foundation, Education Foundation, and Disaster Relief Fund. Champions of Home Impact Awards The Champions of Home Impact Awards honor California REALTORS® who have made a significant impact on their communities through volunteer efforts.

Housing Affordability Fund HAF plays an active role in addressing the ongoing housing affordability challenges facing California. C. A.

R. stands ready to assist REALTORS® who have been impacted by wildfires through its Disaster Relief Fund and NAR's REALTORS® Relief Foundation. California Disaster Resources Scholarships for California students planning to pursue a career in real estate.

Grants for California REALTORS® and residents pursuing real estate education. Diversity and Inclusion Programs Find out more information on key diversity and inclusion programs and projects available. Latino Professionals Network Young Professionals Network New to the industry?

YPN is a network to sharpen your skills, heighten your leadership, and connect with fellow REALTORS®. Adding REALTOR® next to your name is cool. What comes with that title is even cooler.

Check out your benefits. Download and share the official 2026 C. A.

R. Member Benefits Guide. C.

A. R. Insurance Products As a C.

A. R. member you may have questions about your association and the industry.

Find the answers here. Membership Dues and Value C. A.

R. provides tremendous member value through its innovative tools, services and education. Learn more about C.

A. R. membership and dues and NAR membership and dues.

C. A. R.'

s annual consumer advertising campaign creates awareness of the REALTOR® brand and demonstrates the many benefits of the consumer-REALTOR® relationship. Smart Zone provides tools and insights necessary to convey your unique value proposition, effectively market your services, keep your clients abreast of current real estate market trends and help you achieve success in a dynamic industry. This is so us...

who we are and what we do. 2026 C. A.

R. Leadership Team Meet the 2026 C. A.

R. Leadership Team C. A.

R. is a statewide trade association dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is committed to bring you tools and information to help you succeed.

Here are some of the innovative tools, services and education C. A. R.

provided to help you achieve your professional goals. C. A.

R.' s Media Center houses the Association's news releases, media guidelines, and logos. Discover rewarding job opportunities, a collaborative work culture, and meaningful ways to make an impact on an industry that matters.

Learn about advertising with C. A. R.

Whichever department you are looking to speak with, don't hesitate to reach out! We'd love to hear from you. Looking for additional assistance?

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m. Need help finding the right person? Try searching through our various rosters & directories.

Pathway To Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program Housing Affordability Fund HAF Closing Cost Grant Program Add a quick link to this page from the Homepage when you are signed in C. A. R.

’s Housing Affordability Fund (HAF), in partnership with Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS), along with HUD. GOV approved housing counselors and non-profits partners throughout the state will join efforts to close homeownership gaps that impact the state’s underserved communities with the Pathway to Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program.

The Pathway to Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program helps first-time homebuyers who are members of an "Underserved Community*" bridge the affordability gap by providing them with up to $5,000 in closing cost assistance. Each grant is provided to low-to-moderate income (120% AMI and below) first-time homebuyers who utilize the services of a CA REALTOR®.

These homeownership gaps aren’t new and, for many groups, they’re getting wider. Experts suggest that lack of generational wealth is (can be) to blame, often leaving members of underserved communities with less funds to cover the closing costs and down payment for a home. Rather than just observe the trends, we’re taking action.

Want to help close these homeownership gaps? You can support C. A.

R.' s HAF, and Non-Profit partner(s) efforts to offer increased homeownership opportunities for underserved communities by donating to the program below. DONATE HERE WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

The Pathway to Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program is a true Grant, thus there is no repayment required, if the requirements below have been met on application. Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis with a fully accepted purchase contract from a borrower using a REALTOR® who is a member of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.)

* “Underserved Community” includes: : (i) people of color; (ii) persons with disabilities (physical, cognitive, or mental); or (iii) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons.

The Pathway to Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program (“Program”) is intended to provide closing cost grants of up to $5,000 each to First-Time Homebuyers who are members of an Underserved Community and are using the proposed grant to purchase a property in California with the following criteria: Recipient must be a First-Time Homebuyer.

“First-Time Homebuyer” means an individual (and all co-buyers on the property purchase contract, if any) who has had no ownership interest in any real property in any location during the last three (3) years. Recipient (one individual if two or more will be purchasing together) must be a member of an Underserved Community.

“Underserved Community” “Underserved Community” includes: (i) people of color; (ii) persons with disabilities 1 (physical, cognitive, or mental); or (iii) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons.

The property being purchased by Recipient must be a single-family residence (including a manufactured home or mobile home if affixed to property, a single-family residential unit in a condominium, cooperative or planned unit development, or a single-family residential one to four (1-4) unit property) in one of 58 Counties within California.

The purchased property must not have an affordable housing deed restriction that limits Recipient’s ownership rights in the property’s equity or creates shared equity homeownership that prevents the public resale of the property by Recipient. Recipient’s income must be no more than 120% of the Area Median Income (“AMI”) as set forth by the California Department of Housing Community Development.

Recipient must be represented by a member of the California Association of REALTORS ® in the transaction. Recipient must certify they intend to move into the property within 60 days of close of escrow and occupy the property as their principal residence for at least three (3) years.

To purchase the property, Recipient must have used financing consistent with the National Association of REALTORS® Responsible Lending Criteria (currently found at https://www. nar. realtor/credit-policy/responsible-lending-policy-why-do-realtors-seek-to-prevent-abusive-lending#.

Y2kzu4WbOkE. gmail ) which prevents abusive lending and supports responsible lending principles. Recipient must not have paid all-cash for the purchase.

Exceptions may be allowed subject to Grantor’s prior written approval if Recipient used any alternative financing. Recipient must be left with no more than $20K in savings after the purchase. Recipient cannot receive ANY Cash back from the transaction, including but not limited to, earnest money deposit ("EMD"), gifts, rebates, excess financing beyond actual costs, and refunds upon closing.

For example, Recipient's Cash to Close amount on the Final Closing Disclosure ("FCD") cannot be a negative amount after all other sources of funds have been included.

Recipient must submit the Program Application at least 21 days prior to Planned Close of Escrow ("PCOE") Recipient's lender and escrow/title must submit to NPHS the FCD and Settlement Statement ("SS") at least 3 business days prior to the PCOE for NPHS's evaluation of Recipient's continued eligibility and compliance with the program criteria.

If Recipient's lender and escrow/title, for any reason, revises the FCD and/or SS after submission to NPHS, the revised documents must be re-submitted to NPHS for re-evaluation of Recipient's continued eligibility and compliance with the program criteria. Program grant funds must be allocated and distributed as the final source of funds required to complete the transaction in compliance with program criteria.

All other sources of funds, including but not limited to, EMD, all loans, down payment assistance, gifts, and other grants, must be accounted for and distributed prior to allocation and distribution of the Program Grant Funds. 1 An individual with a disability is defined as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Grant funds cannot be distributed unless NPHS reviews the Final Closing Disclosure and Settlement Statement, confirms Recipient's continued eligibility and compliance with the program criteria, and provides final approval for distribution.

Directors, officers, and employees of California Association of REALTORS® , NPHS, and each of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, and members of their immediate families (spouses, children, parents, and siblings) are not eligible to be Recipients. REALTORS® and their immediate families (spouses, children, parents, and siblings) are not eligible to be Recipients.

NPHS shall not give any preferential treatment or consideration to potential Recipients that are represented by NPHS’s in-house, affiliated, or preferred California REALTORS® over potential Recipients represented by any other member of the California Association of REALTORS®.

(*“Underserved Community” includes: (i) people of color; (ii) persons with disabilities (physical, cognitive, or mental); or (iii) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons.) All of 2025 funds have been allocated. While existing applications are still being processed, additional funding is not guaranteed.

Thank you for your understanding and patience." As additional funding becomes available we will advise. The application link will redirect you to our non-profit partner, Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS).

NPHS will oversee the application process and address any questions you may have. For assistance, please contact them at (909) 988-5979 Opportunities are available for all counties across California. See e xpanded statewide coverage by county, HERE !

IMPORTANT: "First-time homebuyers MUST complete a HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education Course. NPHS offers this course on their website. STEPS Toward Homeownership Grants for California REALTORS® and residents pursuing real estate education.

Scholarships for California students planning to pursue a career in real estate. Housing Affordability Fund Program HAF plays an active role in addressing the ongoing housing affordability challenges facing California. Need more help?

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