The City of Santa Ana wins an award for their downpayment assistance loan program

The City of Santa Ana has won a Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Award from the Orange County Business Council (OCBC) for its My First Home down payment assistance loan program.

The City’s OCBC award was in the category of Building & Land Reuse And Community Revitalization, the fourth year in a row the City has been nominated in this category and the third time it has won. The OCBC announced its award winners at a ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 6, that was attended by City staff along with Councilmembers Phil Bacerra and Benjamin Vasquez.

“I’m proud that the City has been recognized for this important program that is helping Santa Ana residents become homeowners,” Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “Congratulations to our Community Development Agency for their success in administering the My First Home Program, and thank you to our City Council for continuing to prioritize homeownership opportunities for our community.”

The My First Home Program offers qualified first-time homebuyers 0% interest down payment assistance loans of up to $120,000 to help purchase a home in Santa Ana. Over the past two years, the City has awarded $2.5 million in down payment assistance for 23 families to purchase homes.

In November, the Santa Ana City Council approved an additional $2.3 million for the program, part of a new $10 million investment in affordable homeownership opportunities.

Learn more about the My First Home Program here.

Photo caption: The Navarro family bought their first home thanks to the My First Home program; awards event photo courtesy of the Orange County Business Council.