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Fillmore is a small agricultural city in Ventura County with a tight housing market. Community mortgage programs are built exactly for towns like this.
These programs target underserved borrowers — people with thin credit files, lower incomes, or non-traditional employment. That describes a meaningful share of Fillmore's workforce.
580–620 typical
Min Credit Score
Often required
First-Time Buyer
Vary by program
Income Limits
Vary by profile
Rates
Community Mortgages in Fillmore
Community mortgage programs allow lower credit scores than standard conventional loans. Some programs work with scores in the 580–620 range.
Income limits often apply. You'll need to document income carefully, but the bar for what counts as qualifying income is broader than most programs.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect community mortgages eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Fillmore.
Fillmore is a small agricultural city in Ventura County with a tight housing market. Community mortgage programs are built exactly for towns like this.
These programs target underserved borrowers — people with thin credit files, lower incomes, or non-traditional employment. That describes a meaningful share of Fillmore's workforce.
Community mortgage programs allow lower credit scores than standard conventional loans. Some programs work with scores in the 580–620 range.
Most retail banks don't actively market community mortgage products. You usually find them through housing agencies, nonprofits, or brokers with access to specialty lenders.
At SRK CAPITAL, we work with 200+ wholesale lenders. Several of them run dedicated community lending programs with pricing retail borrowers rarely see.
The biggest mistake I see: borrowers assume they don't qualify and never apply. Community programs exist to flex the rules — that's the point.
Stack these programs correctly and you can layer in down payment assistance on top. In Ventura County, that combination can cover your entire upfront cost.
FHA loans are the most common alternative. They're solid, but they carry mortgage insurance for the life of the loan in many cases. Some community programs have better MI terms.
USDA loans are another option for Fillmore — parts of Ventura County may qualify for rural designation. Community mortgages and USDA can sometimes be combined or compared side by side.
Fillmore sits in the Santa Clara River Valley. Many residents work in agriculture or small local businesses — exactly the borrower profile these programs were built for.
Ventura County's Housing Trust Fund and California's CalHFA both offer programs that align with community mortgage guidelines. As of April 2026, CalHFA programs remain active statewide.
Borrowers with lower incomes, thin credit files, or non-traditional employment are the target. Income limits vary by household size and program.
Many community programs require it, but not all. Some allow repeat buyers if income limits are met.
Yes. Community mortgages frequently pair with DPA programs like CalHFA. That can reduce or eliminate your upfront cash requirement.
Parts of Ventura County may qualify for USDA rural designation. We check eligibility on every deal before recommending a program.
Community programs often have more flexible income rules and better mortgage insurance terms. FHA is more standardized but may cost more over time.