downpayment assistance in california?

If you want a mortgage, you have to put up cash of your own for down payment and closing costs, plus they will require that you have reserves. If you cannot come up with the down payment, the mortgageors don't want to know you these days.

Furthermore, the only buyers we're seeing actually get funded and close on schedule have at least 20% down, plus closing costs, plus at least 3 - 6 months' worth of reserves. Fannie might supposedly only require 3.5% down, but we are seeing "approved" buyers end up not getting funded. This is a total disaster (and often an expensive one) for buyer & seller to go to close and the funds don't come through.

You need money -- your own. Start saving.