2017 Fire Recovery
2017 Fire Recovery — Allocation Summary
ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance Program
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Up to $350,000 in Forgivable Loans for Eligible Households in 2017 Wildfire Impacted Areas
If you were renting or previously owned a home in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within one of the 2017 Qualifying Disaster Areas, the ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (HBA) Program may help you take the next step toward owning a safer, long-term home.
You could receive up to $350,000 in assistance to cover your down payment, closing costs, and other upfront homebuying expenses. This assistance comes as a zero-interest, no monthly payment second mortgage, which is fully forgiven after five years of living in and owning your new home.
The program is designed to help families bridge the gap between what they can afford and the full cost of a home. Many households qualify for a first mortgage that doesn’t fully cover the purchase price of a home. ReCoverCA HBA funds help close that gap, making it easier to become a homeowner without overextending your finances.
Who Can Apply?
- Your primary residence in 2017 was in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within one of the Qualifying Disaster Areas.
- Your household income meets the program’s Income Limits
- First-time homebuyer status is not required.
Get Started Today
Use our Preliminary Eligibility Tool to answer questions like where you lived in 2017 and your household income. The tool will help assess your information and provide an initial evaluation of your eligibility, along with the next steps. For any assistance, feel free to Contact Us.
When you're ready to discuss your financial situation and/or begin the formal application process, you'll need to work with a ReCoverCA HBA Lender. GSFA partners with a network of trusted lenders who will determine your final eligibility, provide current interest rates and APRs, and process your application for the Program.
Note: Funding is limited; pre-qualification is highly encouraged.
Current Funding
Updated January 22, 2026
2017 Fire Recovery Allocation
Homebuyer assistance funds are available for reservation.
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)
Other Allocations
2017 Fire Recovery
Program Policies and Eligibility Requirements(1)
This section further explains the current funding available for 2017 Fire Recovery under the ReCoverCA HBA Program, including key program policies, eligibility requirements, and the terms of the financial assistance. It is intended to help prospective homebuyers understand what is required and how the funding can support their path to safe, affordable homeownership. For complete program details — including loan applications, interest rates, and APRs — please connect with a ReCoverCA HBA Lender.
Mortgage Qualifying Guidelines
To access the 2017 Fire Recovery funding, applicants must first qualify for a First Mortgage Loan and meet the following requirements:
- Primary Residence Requirement
Applicants must have lived in a primary residence (renter or homeowner) that was both within a 2017 Qualifying Disaster Area at the time of the disaster and located in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone - Household Income Limits
Must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as defined by HUD for low-to-moderate income households - No Current Property Ownership
A first-time homebuyer is not required; however, applicants may not own any real estate at the time of application through closing - Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)
Monthly housing costs and debts must be at least 42% but no more than 45% of gross household income - Credit Score
Minimum FICO score of 640 - Homebuyer Education Course
At least one borrower must complete an approved 8-hour online homeownership course. The small fee for this course can be covered with the homebuyer assitance funds
Homebuyer Assistance Terms
The 2017 Fire Recovery provides up to $350,000 in homebuyer assistance per household to help bridge the gap between the First Mortgage Loan the applicant qualifies for and the purchase price of the home. Assistance can be used for down payment, customary closing costs, and prepaids.
- HBA Loan Terms
The assistance is provided as a forgivable Second Mortgage Loan (HBA Loan) with the following terms:- 0% interest
- No monthly payments
- Fully forgiven after five years of continuous occupancy as the homeowner’s primary residence
- If the homeowner sells, transfers the property, or no longer occupies the home before the five-year period ends, a prorated amount must be repaid
- Calculating Your Assistance Amount
The HBA Loan amount is calculated as the gap between your qualifying First Mortgage Loan and the lower of the home’s purchase price or appraised value. The amount may be reduced by:- Any unused housing assistance from other sources intended for the same purpose
- Cash reserves over $100,000
The maximum HBA Loan available is $350,000 per household.
A ReCoverCA HBA Lender will work with you to determine your exact eligibility.
Properties Eligible for Purchase
Properties eligible to be purchased with 2017 Fire Recovery funding must be located in California outside of a CalFire High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
Eligible Property Types
- Single-family homes (1 unit only)
- Townhomes
- Agency-approved condominiums
- Planned unit developments (PUDs)
- Manufactured housing (on a permanent foundation)
Number of Bedrooms
The number of bedrooms allowed is based on the number of persons in the household as set forth below:
Applicants are encouraged to consult with a ReCoverCA HBA Lender to determine if a property meets eligibility requirements.
Questions or Ready to Get Started?
(1)This web page contains general program information, is not an offer for extension of credit nor a commitment to lend and is subject to change without notice. Complete program policies, eligibility requirements, loan applications, interest rates and annual percentage rates (APRs) are available through ReCoverCA HBA Lenders.
The ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (DR-HBA) Program is provided by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in collaboration with GSFA as Program Manager. Funding for the Program is made possible through a Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant from HUD.
Testimonials
We received over $339,000 in assistance!
I was excited at the prospect of being able to purchase a new home. But I was also skeptical, as it sounded too good to be true. But it turned out to be exactly as my son had described it. And by the grace of God and the Recover California Homebuyer Assistance Program, I am now a proud homeowner! We received over $339,000 in ASSISTANCE! WOW! I am still pinching myself to make sure it's real. We closed escrow in October and couldn't be happier. This was one of the happiest days of my life. I would highly recommend this program to anyone considering it.
Richard MeyerShasta County, February 2025
ReCoverCA HBA Program
I would highly recommend this program to others.
We were evacuated for a wildfire, and it was a very traumatic experience for our family... The forgivable grant we received literally made all the difference in the world! We feel so much safer and secure, and the grant made homeownership possible for us where it would not have been otherwise. We were able to find a house that accommodates our growing family, in a far less fire-prone area with nearby fire protection, in a very nice, low-crime neighborhood.
Raymon CurtisShasta County, November 2025
ReCoverCA HBA Program
It’s hard to describe the joy of achieving something we never thought possible.
Living in Napa Valley, wildfires have always been a looming fear. Thanks to RecoverCA, we were able to buy a home in a safer, low-fire-risk area, allowing us to finally feel a sense of security. The peace of mind that comes with knowing we are in a safer place for our growing family is truly invaluable.
Natalie Sheehe & Richard Sheehe IIINapa County, March 2025
ReCoverCA HBA Program
It felt like a heavy weight was lifted.
Thanks to the ReCoverCA program, I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous new home in Chico, California. Because of this program, I was not only able to afford a home outside of the high fire danger area, but a home with the most up to date fire prevention possible. Even as a single income family.
Mary and James BunnButte County, February 2025
ReCoverCA HBA Program