Current status: paused, not accepting applications
The CalHFA ADU Grant Program — which provided up to $40,000 to reimburse homeowners for predevelopment costs like design, permits, and impact fees — has fully allocated its funding. As of this writing, there is no open application, no waitlist, and no announced date for a new funding round.
The program could be replenished in a future state budget cycle, but nothing is currently confirmed. Don't budget your project around receiving this grant unless CalHFA's own site shows it reopened.
What the program covered when it was active
When funded, the CalHFA ADU Grant Program reimbursed up to $40,000 in predevelopment and non-recurring closing costs for income-qualified homeowners — things like architectural design fees, permit and impact fees, soil tests, property surveys, and energy reports. It was a reimbursement program, meaning homeowners generally paid these costs upfront and were reimbursed afterward, not a check written before construction started.
Watch for scams
CalHFA has publicly warned that anyone contacting you claiming they can help you access or "unlock" this ADU grant is very likely running a scam, especially while the program has no open application. Don't pay anyone a fee to "help you apply" for a program that isn't currently accepting applications — verify status directly at CalHFA's own site before engaging with anyone claiming to represent this program.
Real financing options available right now
While this specific grant program is paused, the standard financing paths for ADU construction remain fully available:
- HELOC — borrowing against existing home equity. See our HELOC vs. construction loan comparison.
- Cash-out refinance — replacing your mortgage with a larger one and taking the difference in cash.
- Construction loan — financing structured around the build itself, often converting to a permanent mortgage once finished.
See our full ADU financing overview for how each of these works in more depth.
How to check current status yourself
Rather than relying on any single article (including this one, months from now), check CalHFA's own ADU program page directly for the current, authoritative status before making any financial decisions based on grant availability.
Source
- California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) ADU Grant Program: calhfa.ca.gov/adu
Frequently asked questions
Not through the CalHFA program as of this writing — funding has been fully allocated and there's no open application or waitlist. Check CalHFA's site directly for the current status before assuming otherwise.
CalHFA has explicitly warned this is very likely a scam, particularly while the program isn't accepting applications. Don't pay anyone to help you access a grant program that has no open application.
A HELOC, cash-out refinance, or construction loan are the standard, currently-available paths — see our ADU financing overview for how each works.