Antioch offers financial assistance for first-time homebuyers

ANTIOCH — In a move to make homeownership more accessible, Antioch is offering up to $100,000 in financial assistance for eligible home buyers looking to purchase their first home in the city.

Through its Antioch Home Ownership Program, the city is providing up to $60,000 in downpayment assistance subsidies for first-time homebuyers with low- to moderate-incomes.

Antioch also is working with the San Francisco-based Bay Area Affordable Homeownership Alliance and A-1 Housing Community Services to offer an additional $40,000 to make home ownership feasible.

A one-year comprehensive study conducted by the Affordable Homeownership Alliance in August 2023 showed that home sale prices in Antioch ranged from $175,000 to $1.1 million, with a median price of $625,000.

For those interested in the program, the city is hosting a virtual Zoom workshop from 6-7:30 p.m. on May 22. Interested participants must reserve a spot by 7 p.m. May 21 at www.myhomegateway.org/ahopworkshop.html.

The workshop will provide information on program requirements and guidelines to receive access to subsidies and next steps for eligible homebuyers.

Representatives from Affordable Homeownership Alliance, A-1 Housing Community Services, and First Citizens Bank are expected to be at the workshop to provide additional information.

In addition to financial aid, the city is also offering free homebuyer education and counseling through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved providers to help residents better understand the home-buying process.

Apart from financial assistance for first-time homebuyers, Antioch is also providing property owners with individual rebates of up to $7,500 for new accessory dwelling units and up to $30,000 for new ADU units that are deed-restricted to low-income households.

However, to promote the construction of smaller ADUs, the rebates are only available for units under 1,000 square feet. Property owners who obtain building permits to construct ADUs and receive a certificate of occupancy within 18 months of the issuance will be eligible for rebates.

The rebates are part of the Senate District 7 ADU Accelerator Program, piloted by Sen. Steve Glazer last year. The program involves 15 East Bay cities.

Antioch has been allocated about $216,228 in funding under the program. Rebates are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Residents have until the end of September 2026 or until funds are expended to take part in the program.