Virginia Down Payment Help: State Grants, Second Mortgages and Northern Virginia Programs
Virginia Housing grants, the Plus Second Mortgage, and county programs in Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun. Answer 5 quick questions to see which ones you may qualify for.
Listed as open as of October 2, 2026: the Virginia Housing DPA Grant, Closing Cost Assistance Grant and Plus Second Mortgage. Paused or closed: SPARC rate reductions (expected to reopen in January 2027) and FirstHome Dream. Confirm current status with a Virginia Housing-approved lender. Checked October 2, 2026.
Virginia first-time buyer programs & credentials
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Programs & Services
Virginia Programs Worth Knowing
Virginia buyers can combine statewide help from Virginia Housing with county and city programs in Northern Virginia. Start with the one that fits, then check your eligibility for all of them.
100% free. No obligation. We’ll point you to the right programs.
Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant
A grant from Virginia Housing toward your down payment: up to 2% of the price with a Virginia Housing Conventional Bond first mortgage, or 2.5% with an FHA Bond first mortgage. It is a gift, not a loan.
Virginia Housing Plus Second Mortgage
A 30-year fixed, fully amortizing second mortgage loan from Virginia Housing that you repay. It is sized by percentage tiers and is open to first-time and repeat buyers.
Virginia Housing Closing Cost Assistance Grant
A grant from Virginia Housing of up to 2% of the price for closing costs, paired with a Virginia Housing VA Bond or RD Bond first mortgage.
Fairfax County Down Payment Loan
A shared-equity loan of up to $50,000 from Fairfax County for first-time buyers at or below 80% of area median income.
Arlington County Moderate-Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP)
A 0% interest loan from Arlington County, deferred 30 years with shared appreciation, of up to 25% of the price for first-time buyers.
Loudoun County DPCC and DPCC Plus
0% interest loans from Loudoun County, forgivable over 15 years, of up to 10% of the price or $70,000, whichever is less.
Prince William Area First-Time Homebuyer Program
A deferred second deed of trust loan for eligible first-time buyers who live or work in, and buy in, Prince William County, Manassas or Manassas Park. Available during open periods, subject to funding.
City of Alexandria Flexible Homeownership Assistance Program (FHAP)
FHAP currently applies only to City-marketed homes (Affordable Set-Aside, NSP, Resale Restricted), not open-market purchases. It is a 0% deferred second trust loan.
City of Alexandria Employee Homeownership Incentive Program (EHIP)
An interest-free deferred loan for qualifying City, public school, court and listed office employees buying a primary residence in Alexandria.
Virginia DHCD Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance
A deferred loan with no payments or interest, administered through regional providers. Coverage varies by locality; funding is first-come, first-served.
The Process
How It Works
Check eligibility
2 minutes. We’ll map the best-fit programs for your situation.
Get matched
We’ll outline the Virginia Housing and Northern Virginia county options that fit and explain the real numbers.
Book a consult
Get pre-approved with a Virginia Housing-approved lender and a clean plan for limited funding.
Buy with confidence
Tour homes, write strong offers, and use assistance the smart way.
Virginia Down Payment Assistance, Answered
What We Help With
Kind Words
5.0-star rated by verified clients
My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Ronnie on our first home purchase and we both HIGHLY recommend him!
I went into this process not knowing much about the home buying process but he guided me through it all and made it easier for me as a first time homebuyer!
Next Step
See Which Virginia Programs You Qualify For — In 2 Minutes
Answer a few questions and we’ll map the best-fit programs based on your income, credit, and where you want to live in Virginia.