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Virginia Down Payment Assistance Programs
Virginia buyers can look at three statewide programs from Virginia Housing and county programs in Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun. Some are grants, some are loans, and they have different rules about which ones combine.
This page is the map: what each program gives, who it is for, and what it pairs with.
I am Ronnie Gilmer, a REALTOR® with Samson Properties, licensed in VA, MD and DC. I am not a lender and I am not affiliated with Virginia Housing or any county housing office.
Last updated: October 2, 2026
The Virginia programs at a glance
| Program | Grant or loan | Amount | Who | Pairs with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Housing DPA Grant | Grant | Up to 2% (Conventional Bond) or 2.5% (FHA Bond) of the price | First-time buyers (3 years) unless in a targeted area; within grant income limits | Other acceptable non-Virginia Housing help; not the Plus Second or CCA Grant |
| Virginia Housing Plus Second Mortgage | Loan (repaid) | 3.5% (FHA) or 3% (Conventional); 5% or 4.5% if all borrowers score 680+ | First-time and repeat buyers, purchases only | Not the DPA Grant or CCA Grant |
| Virginia Housing Closing Cost Assistance Grant | Grant | Up to 2% of the price, for closing costs | First-time buyers unless in a targeted area; VA Bond or RD Bond loan; 620 score | Other non-Virginia Housing help; not the DPA Grant or Plus Second |
| Fairfax County Down Payment Loan | Loan (shared equity) | Up to $50,000 | First-time buyers at or below 80% AMI | May be layered with other loans or grants (county loan in last position) |
| Arlington County MIPAP | Loan (0%, deferred 30 years) | Up to 25% of the price, capped at $120,000 (1-3 people) or $130,000 (4+) | First-time buyers (3 years); price up to $650,000 | Ask the program and your lender |
| Loudoun County DPCC and DPCC Plus | Loan (0%, forgivable over 15 years) | Up to 10% of the price or $70,000, whichever is less | DPCC: income $49,850-$116,299; DPCC Plus: $116,300-$166,100 | Ask the program and your lender |
The Virginia Programs on This Site
Each program has its own rules, its own fit, and its own timing, so the order you move in matters.
Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant
Benefit: Grant of up to 2% (Conventional Bond) or 2.5% (FHA Bond) of the price, down payment only
Who: First-time buyers (or targeted areas) within the grant income limits
Virginia Housing Plus Second Mortgage
Benefit: 30-year fixed second mortgage loan, 3.5% (FHA) or 3% (Conventional) tiers, repaid
Who: First-time and repeat buyers with a Virginia Housing Conventional or FHA loan
Virginia Housing Closing Cost Assistance Grant
Benefit: Grant of up to 2% of the price for closing costs with a VA Bond or RD Bond loan
Who: First-time buyers (or targeted areas) using a VA Bond or RD Bond loan
Fairfax County Down Payment Loan
Benefit: Shared-equity loan of up to $50,000
Who: First-time buyers at or below 80% AMI, not yet under contract
Arlington County Moderate-Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP)
Benefit: 0% loan deferred 30 years, up to 25% of the price (capped at $120,000 or $130,000)
Who: First-time buyers within the 2026 income limits, price up to $650,000
Loudoun County DPCC and DPCC Plus
Benefit: 0% loan forgivable over 15 years, up to 10% of the price or $70,000
Who: Buyers with income from $49,850 to $166,100 across DPCC and DPCC Plus
The order of operations
- Complete homebuyer education. Virginia Housing programs require it, and Arlington MIPAP requires the Virginia Housing class.
- Choose a Virginia Housing-approved lender.
- Pick the first mortgage that unlocks the state program you want: Conventional Bond or FHA Bond for the DPA Grant; Virginia Housing Conventional, Conventional Bond, FHA or FHA Bond for the Plus Second; VA Bond or RD Bond for the Closing Cost Assistance Grant.
- Then add county help where it fits.
Check each county's contract timing before you sign anything. Fairfax requires that you are NOT under contract when you apply. Loudoun DPCC Plus requires a ratified contract to reserve funds.
Which programs can be combined
- Use ONE of the Virginia Housing DPA Grant, Plus Second Mortgage or Closing Cost Assistance Grant. They cannot be combined with each other.
- The Fairfax County Down Payment Loan may be layered with other loans or grants; the county loan takes last position.
- For Arlington MIPAP and Loudoun DPCC, ask the program and your lender about combining.
What "first-time buyer" means here
Most of these programs use a 3-year rule: no ownership of a home in the last 3 years. Each program's own definition controls, so check the program page. The Plus Second Mortgage is open to first-time and repeat buyers.
Common misconceptions
- "All assistance is a loan." The DPA Grant and the Closing Cost Assistance Grant are grants and are not repaid.
- "The Plus Second is free money." The Plus Second is a loan that is repaid over 30 years.
- "Forgivable means no strings." Forgivable loans, like Loudoun DPCC, have conditions.
Next step
Two minutes to see which Virginia programs may fit your situation — then read the full guides below.
Frequently asked questions
Which Virginia down payment programs are grants and which are loans?
The Virginia Housing DPA Grant and the Closing Cost Assistance Grant are grants. The Plus Second Mortgage is a loan you repay. The Fairfax County Down Payment Loan, Arlington MIPAP and Loudoun DPCC and DPCC Plus are loans with their own terms: shared equity, deferred with shared appreciation, or forgivable over 15 years.
Can I use more than one Virginia Housing program?
No. Use one of the DPA Grant, the Plus Second Mortgage or the Closing Cost Assistance Grant. They cannot be combined with each other.
Can I add a county program to a Virginia Housing program?
Fairfax County's loan may be layered with other loans or grants, with the county loan in last position. For Arlington MIPAP and Loudoun DPCC, ask the program and your lender about combining.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
Most of these programs use a 3-year rule, and each program's own definition controls. The Plus Second Mortgage is open to first-time and repeat buyers.
Should I sign a contract before applying?
It depends on the program. Fairfax requires that you are not under contract when you apply, while Loudoun DPCC Plus requires a ratified contract to reserve funds.
Sources: Virginia Housing (virginiahousing.com); Virginia Housing (virginiahousing.com); Virginia Housing (virginiahousing.com); Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (fairfaxcounty.gov); Arlington County (arlingtonva.us); Loudoun County (loudoun.gov). Checked 2026-10-02.
Read the full guides
Virginia Down Payment Assistance GuideCheck If You May Qualify
Find Programs I May Qualify ForProgram details change frequently — verify current guidelines with a licensed lender; this is not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of eligibility.
Last updated: October 2026. Licensed in VA, MD and DC. Not affiliated with Virginia Housing, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, or any county or city housing office.