Down payment assistance in Virginia
Virginia's primary statewide down payment assistance program, run by Virginia Housing. Numbers and eligibility reflect the program's published 2025 guidelines.
Down Payment Assistance Grant
Grant (no repayment)- Maximum assistance
- 2-2.5% of purchase price as a grant
- Income limit
- Up to $186,200 (varies by county and household)
- Home price limit
- Up to $750,000 in DC metro; $625,000 elsewhere
- First-time buyer
- Required
- Eligible loan types
- FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- •Grant is non-repayable.
- •Closing Cost Assistance Grant (CCA) available separately for VA and USDA loans.
- •Plus second mortgage option provides up to 5% as a deferred second.
How Virginia DPA fits into your purchase
Down payment assistance reduces the cash you need at the closing table. Virginia's Down Payment Assistance Grant pairs with the standard FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage from a participating lender; the DPA flows through the same closing.
Two things to budget for: most state DPA requires a homebuyer-education course (typically online, 6-8 hours, ~$75) and you usually have to use a lender on the agency's approved list. The agency keeps the list public on its website.
Common questions
Virginia's primary statewide DPA is Down Payment Assistance Grant from Virginia Housing. 2-2.5% of purchase price as a grant. Many Virginia cities and counties also run additional DPA layered on top.
Yes. The Down Payment Assistance Grant requires that you have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. Veterans and target-area buyers are sometimes exempt.
Yes. Down Payment Assistance Grant works with these loan types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional. The DPA is layered behind your first mortgage as a separate lien (or grant), and both close together.
No. A grant has no repayment requirement, so it is not counted as debt for DTI purposes.
A grant is yours to keep with no payback obligation.