Virginia Down Payment Assistance Guide

What Virginia Housing offers

Virginia Housing runs three statewide options that work alongside its own first mortgages. The Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant is up to 2% of the price with a Conventional Bond first mortgage, or 2.5% with an FHA Bond first mortgage, based on the lesser of price or appraised value, and it covers the down payment only. The Plus Second Mortgage is a 30-year fixed second mortgage sized by percentage tiers that Virginia Housing sets. TheClosing Cost Assistance Grant is up to 2% of the price with a VA Bond or RD Bond first mortgage, for closing costs rather than the down payment.

The two grants are for first-time buyers, meaning no owner-occupied home in the last 3 years, unless you buy in a targeted area. Household income must be within the grant limits. The Plus Second is open to first-time and repeat buyers, for purchases only, and its income and price limits follow the first mortgage.

Grant or loan: know which one you are signing

A grant is a gift you do not repay. The DPA Grant and the Closing Cost Assistance Grant are grants. The Plus Second Mortgage is a loan you repay over 30 years, and using it adds 0.25% (FHA) or 0.125% (Conventional) to your first-mortgage rate. The county programs are loans too: Fairfax and Arlington use shared appreciation, and Loudoun's loan is forgivable over 15 years if you meet its conditions.

Choosing one: DPA Grant, Plus Second or CCA Grant

You use one of the three Virginia Housing options, not two. Your first mortgage usually decides it. With a Virginia Housing FHA Bond or Conventional Bond loan, compare the DPA Grant with the Plus Second: the grant does not need to be repaid, while the Plus Second can be larger and is open to repeat buyers. With a VA Bond or RD Bond loan, the Closing Cost Assistance Grant is the Virginia Housing option. Minimum scores are 620 for FHA and FHA Bond paths and 640 for Conventional and Conventional Bond paths.

County programs in Northern Virginia

The Fairfax County Down Payment Loan is a shared-equity loan of up to $50,000 for first-time buyers at or below 80% AMI, with a Virginia Housing first mortgage. You cannot be under contract when you apply, and funds are first-come, first-served. Arlington's MIPAP is a 0% loan deferred 30 years, up to 25% of the price (capped at $120,000 or $130,000 by household size), with a $650,000 maximum price and a conventional first mortgage from a Virginia Housing-approved lender. Loudoun's DPCC and DPCC Plus offer a 0% loan forgivable over 15 years, up to 10% of the price or $70,000, whichever is less, with income ranges that do not depend on household size.

Contract timing differs by county. Fairfax requires that you are not under contract when you apply, while Loudoun DPCC Plus requires a ratified contract to reserve funds. Ask each program and your lender how it combines with the state options.

Homebuyer education comes first

The DPA Grant requires homebuyer education before loan approval: the free Virginia Housing class or another course Virginia Housing accepts. Arlington MIPAP requires the Virginia Housing class, and Fairfax requires Virginia Housing orientation and a HUD-certified counselor. Taking the class early keeps every option open.

What is paused or closed

As of October 2, 2026, SPARC rate reductions are paused and expected to reopen in January 2027. FirstHome Dream is closed for reservations. The Mortgage Credit Certificate is suspended. Status changes, so confirm with a Virginia Housing-approved lender.

All Virginia programs on this site