WORKSHOPS are scheduled for first-time homebuyers in Garden Grove (City of Garden Grove photo).

The City of Garden Grove is offering First-Time Home Buyer Programs for qualifying low-income families as well as First-Time Home Buyer workshops.

The CalHome loan is a 30-year deferred payment loan requiring no monthly payments, not exceeding $60,000, which accrues 3-percent simple annual interest for the life of the loan. The loan is designed to assist with covering the difference between a qualifying mortgage amount and the actual price of a single-family home for qualified low- and very low-income families.

The city also offers the Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership Grant. The matching grant is up to $22,000 that assists qualifying low- and very low-income families with the down payment or closing costs. For every dollar a resident puts towards the down payment, the city will match with four dollars.

There are openings available for the First-Time Home Buyer workshops which introduce potential Garden Grove homeowners to the process of buying a home, how to qualify for a home mortgage, and information regarding financial assistance programs offered through the City. The workshops will take place on Jan. 18, and Feb. 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Garden Grove Courtyard Center, located at 12732 Main St.

To secure a spot at one of the workshops, participants can register online, and bring the confirmation email to the workshop. There are a limited number of spots available for these workshops.

To sign up for the workshop, or to obtain more information on the city’s First-Time Home Buyer Programs contact Timothy Throne at (714) 741-5144, Benchmark Mortgage at (949) 231-0142, or visit the Neighborhood Improvement website at http://www.ggcity.org/neighborhood-improvement.