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.

Current Funding
Updated October 23, 2025
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
2023/24 Flood Recovery

Homebuyer assistance funds for the 2023 and 2024 flood events will be available for reservation starting November 10, 2025.

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
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.

Marketing Templates - Customizable Literature

(2023/24 Flood Recovery Allocation)

Marketing Templates - Social Media Content

(2023/24 Flood Recovery Allocation)

Social Media Post 01

Graphic Description:

A bright green and white graphic promoting the ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program. The top shows a small wooden house on stacks of $100 bills with text reading “Up to $300,000 to Buy Your First Home.” Three circular photos depict a flooded road, cleanup workers, and a happy couple holding a sign that says “Our First House.” The message explains that renters or previous homeowners from 2023–2024 flood-impacted areas may qualify for assistance—no perfect credit needed and forgivable after 5 years. The bottom invites viewers to “Find out if you qualify today!”

Social Media Post 01 [SPANISH]

Graphic Description:

A bright green, yellow, and white Spanish-language graphic promoting the Programa de Asistencia para Compradores de Vivienda ReCoverCA. At the top, a small wooden house sits on stacks of $100 bills with a red banner that reads “¡Consiga Calificar Hoy Mismo!” On the left, bold coral-colored text says “Hasta $300,000 para comprar una vivienda por primera vez.” Below are three circular photos showing a flooded street, cleanup workers in protective suits, and a smiling couple holding a sign that says “Our First House.” The text explains that renters affected by the 2023–2024 floods may qualify for assistance, which is forgivable after 5 years and does not require perfect credit.

Social Media Post 02

Graphic Description:

A blue, green, and coral-colored graphic promoting the ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program for renters affected by floods. On the left, a smiling couple sits outside their new home holding a red “SOLD” sign. A green banner at the bottom reads “Financial Assistance up to $300,000.” On the right, text explains that renters from the 2023 and 2024 floods in California may qualify for up to $300,000 to buy a home outside flood or high fire zones. Four bullet points highlight program benefits: the assistance is forgiven after 5 years, has income limits based on household size, and perfect credit is not required. The bottom invites viewers to “Find out if you qualify today!”

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

Related Posts

Training & Education

We offer a variety of FREE training webinars and resources for mortgage and real estate professionals to learn about our programs and their advantages, guidelines and procedures...

Marketing Support

Check out our resources to support lenders and real estate professionals with marketing and outreach efforts...

Subscribe

Get news and program updates from Golden State Finance Authority delivered directly to your e-mail inbox...

GSFA Newsroom

Check out what’s new with GSFA. Read the latest press releases and announcements, or view our online media kit...

Golden State Finance Authority

GSFA has been a trusted public entity and agency since 1993, delivering financial assistance programs to homebuyers and property owners across California.

Follow-Us
Stay up-to-date

Get the latest news and program updates delivered directly to your inbox.

Subscribe