Access Granted Homebuyer Program

Closing the Homeownership Gap

Housing is the foundation every family builds from. But San Diego is one of the least affordable housing markets in the nation. Only 15% of San Diego households can afford a median-priced home, and the gap is even wider for families furthest from opportunity.

In partnership with LISC San Diego and the Urban League of San Diego County, the Access Granted Homebuyer Program provides qualifying homebuyers with up to $70,000 in down-payment assistance, along with comprehensive financial education and HUD-certified counseling before and after closing. As one of the first programs of its kind in California, it helps close the homeownership gap and build generational wealth.

Since launching in 2021, San Diego Foundation has contributed $4 million to the program, with additional funding from U.S. Bank, San Diego Gas & Electric, BQuest Foundation, Wells Fargo and Cox Communications.

The Access Granted Homebuyer Program helps to:

Provide Down-Payment Assistance: Offers qualifying buyers up to $70,000 in grants, helping cover down payments and closing costs that often put homeownership out of reach.

Build Long-Term Stability: Pairs financial assistance with HUD-certified counseling before and after closing, so buying a home is the beginning of stability, not the end of the process.

Close the Wealth Gap: Helps families build generational wealth through homeownership, addressing long-standing disparities in who has been able to buy a home in San Diego.

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