Virginia Housing DPA Grant

A true grant.
Never repaid.

A down payment grant that never gets repaid, carries no lien, and gets first-time NoVA buyers into the market sooner. Here is the eligibility path, nine steps, so you always know what's next.

Your grant eligibility journey

Step 1

Am I eligible?

Confirm first-time buyer status (three-year rule, targeted-area exception), household income against the lower NoVA bond limit, and Virginia property type.

Eligibility check

Step 2

Income confirmed

Verify ALL household member incomes against the NoVA bond limit - every adult in the home counts, not just the borrowers.

Income phase

Step 3

VH-approved lender

Only Virginia Housing approved lenders can originate bond firsts with the grant - confirm your lender is on the approved list before committing.

Lender confirmed

Step 4

Homebuyer education

Complete the approved Virginia Housing education course early - it is required before closing, and doing it before house hunting removes a constraint.

Education

Step 5

House hunt

Shop within the NoVA price cap; keep the property type within Virginia Housing guidelines (Virginia property, primary residence, max 2 acres).

House hunting

Step 6

Grant reserved at lock

Grant funds are reserved when your rate locks - confirm availability with your lender at lock; the grant expires if the lock expires without closing.

Reserved at lock

Step 7

Underwriting

Bond first underwriting is thorough - provide documents promptly and confirm your gift letter is ready if using gifted funds.

Underwriting

Step 8

Clear to close

Final review; the grant is confirmed and applied to your down payment at closing - you bring approximately 1% plus closing costs from your own or gifted funds.

Final review

Step 9

Closing day

You close with the grant applied to your down payment - it is never repaid, there is no lien, and you own the home with real equity from day one.

Closing day

Grant facts

Program-level facts, per Virginia Housing - not a guarantee or an offer of assistance.

True grant

Never repaid, no lien, no forgiveness period to track.

Applies to

Down payment only - not closing costs or fees.

Reservation

Funds reserved at rate lock - timing matters.

Combine rule

Cannot stack with the Plus Second or CCA grant.

See your personalized numbers - free

Scan the code or reach out. We confirm your household income eligibility, verify first-time buyer status, and run both FHA Bond and Conventional Bond paths using your real price and profile - no obligation.

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{{compliance.pendingLabel}} Equal Housing Opportunity. {{lo.company}}, NMLS #{{lo.nmls}} (Company NMLS #{{compliance.companyNmls}}). Program facts per Virginia Housing guidelines rev May 2026; income and price limits effective August 1, 2026; programs subject to change without notice. Figures and the example household are hypothetical and for illustration only; not an offer, quote, or guarantee. Virginia Housing is not affiliated with {{lo.company}}; {{lo.company}} is an approved Virginia Housing lender and Virginia Housing is a state agency that does not endorse any particular lender. The DPA Grant is available with Virginia Housing FHA Bond or Conventional Bond firsts only; first-time buyer status required. Income limits apply to all household members. The DPA Grant is for down payment only and may not be used for closing costs. Cannot be combined with Virginia Housing Plus Second or CCA grants. All loans subject to credit approval, underwriting, and program eligibility; not all applicants will qualify. This co-marketed material is shared by each party at its fair-market-value cost consistent with RESPA Section 8; no party pays for referrals. Consult a tax advisor. NMLS Consumer Access: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.