Welcome to California

Targeted Areas

Federal Designated Targeted Areas

CalVet Logo There are some definite advantages to purchasing a home in one of California’s Targeted Areas. For CalVet, these loans are funded from State Allocated Qualified Mortgage Bonds (QMB) which generally have a lower interest rate. Thirty-three of California's 58 counties have targeted areas - with Los Angeles having almost half. Purchasing a home in these areas allows greater flexibility for buying a home.

What is a Targeted Area?

Areas that are “targeted” by the Federal Government were identified in the 2000 Census as areas in California where 70 percent of the families who live there have an income that is 80 percent or less than the statewide median income. Only the census tracts identified by the Federal Government as “targeted” provides a waiver of the first-time homebuyer requirement, and higher sales price limits in all areas and higher income limits in most areas. Purchasing a home in these areas allows greater flexibility for buying a home.

Advantages to buying in a Federal Designated Targeted Area

The first-time homebuyer requirement is waived:
  • Generally the Qualified Mortgage Bond (QMB) program requires that the borrower is a first-time homebuyer, but when the home being purchased is located in a Targeted Area, that requirement is not enforced.
The income limits are higher in most areas:
  • The maximum allowable income is higher in most Targeted Areas to expand homeownership opportunities to more borrowers.
The sales price limits are higher in all areas:
  • In all Targeted Areas, the limit on the price you pay for the home is raised to create a larger pool of available properties.
 Homebuyers
California Outline Map

How do I locate Targeted Areas in California?

There are several ways to determine where Targeted Areas are located in your county. Choose one of the scenarios below by clicking on the link provided:

Please Note: You should have the list of eligible census tract numbers handy for the area in which you are looking.

  • I would like to find all Targeted Areas in my county.OR
    I have a census tract number and would like to find out if it is in a Targeted Area.
  • I have an address and would like to find out its census tract number. On the link below, enter the street address of the property, hit “Search” and the census tract will be displayed as “tract code.”
  • I would like to look up the boundaries for a particular census tract number. On the link below, under “Maproom: Where do you want to go?” click on “census” then enter the state, county and census tract number (tract code). A map showing the census tract boundaries should appear.
    • http://nkca.ucla.edu/Master.cfm?Content=Map&ZoomTo=tract
      Select County, and then enter the six-digit census tract number. A map outlining the boundary streets will appear. (Note: do not enter the decimal point and use leading zeroes, e.g. Alameda- 4075.00 would be entered as 407500; Los Angeles- 570603 San Diego- 010012; Tulare 002202)