LICENSED IN VA · MD · DC · CA · FL · TX · WV ·
Down Payment Assistance Programs
Free Money for Your Down Payment in All 7 States We Serve
We identify every DPA grant and forgivable loan you qualify for — at no cost, as part of your pre-approval.
INTRODUCTION
What is down payment assistance and how does it work?
Down payment assistance (DPA) is financial help — in the form of a grant, forgivable loan, or deferred second mortgage — that covers part or all of a homebuyer’s down payment and sometimes closing costs. Most DPA programs are funded by state housing finance agencies. They are layered on top of a first mortgage (FHA, conventional, or VA) and are available to income-qualifying buyers, typically first-time homebuyers within income limits set by the program.
The down payment is the single biggest barrier to homeownership in the United States. The National Association of Realtors reports that 87% of first-time buyers say it is their primary obstacle. Most of them do not know that billions of dollars in grant funding exist specifically to solve it.
The National Council of State Housing Agencies reported over $28 billion in down payment assistance distributed nationally in 2022. Grants. Forgivable loans. Deferred second mortgages that cost you nothing until you sell. These programs are real, funded, and available to qualifying buyers in all 7 states Access Financial serves.
The biggest myth in homeownership is that you need 20% down. The second biggest myth is that a lower credit score disqualifies you. The FHA loan was specifically created to prove both wrong.
The Federal Housing Administration has insured home loans since 1934. In 2023 alone, FHA insured over 765,000 purchase loans. Most went to first-time buyers who could not qualify for conventional financing. The program exists precisely for you.
THE COMPLETE 2026 DIRECTORY
Virginia
| Homebuyer Program | Best For |
|---|---|
| Down Payment Assistance | First-time homebuyers. |
| Second Mortgage Support | Buyers needing additional financing. |
| Community Heroes Program | Veterans and eligible public service professionals. |
Maryland
| Homebuyer Program | Best For |
|---|---|
| Mortgage Assistance Program | Eligible homebuyers seeking affordable financing. |
| Student Loan Support | Buyers managing student loan debt. |
| Employee Homebuyer Program | Eligible government and public sector employees. |
Washington DC
| Homebuyer Program | Best For |
|---|---|
| Down Payment Assistance | Qualified homebuyers seeking financial support. |
| Home Purchase Assistance | Eligible buyers needing additional help with homeownership. |
California
Washington DC
Florida
| Homebuyer Program | Best For |
|---|---|
| Homebuyer Assistance | First-time homebuyers needing financial support. |
| Military Homebuyer Program | Active-duty service members and veterans purchasing a home. |
West Virginia
| Homebuyer Program | Best For |
|---|---|
| Down Payment Assistance | Eligible buyers seeking financial support. |
| Zero Down Home Loan | Qualified rural homebuyers looking for affordable financing. |
THE 3 QUESTIONS DPA BUYERS ASK MOST
Most DPA programs require first-time buyer status — but the definition is usually ‘no primary residence ownership in the past 3 years,’ not a lifetime requirement. If you owned a home in 2019 and sold it, you are a first-time buyer again for DPA purposes in most programs. Veterans and buyers in certain target areas are sometimes exempt from the first-time requirement entirely.
Yes. FHA is the most compatible first mortgage for DPA programs. State housing finance agencies design their DPA grants specifically for FHA borrowers — covering the 3.5% minimum down payment so your actual cash to close drops to closing costs only. When sellers cover closing costs through negotiation, FHA-plus-DPA buyers sometimes close with near-zero out-of-pocket cost.
Income limits vary by state, county, and program — typically set at 80 to 120% of the area median income for the county. In high-income counties like Fairfax Virginia or Montgomery Maryland, the AMI is high, which means the income limit is also high. A household earning $120,000 in Fairfax County may still qualify for VHDA DPA. Access Financial confirms your income eligibility against current county AMI limits as part of every free pre-approval.
Why Most Eligible Buyers Never Access the DPA Money That Exists for Them
The National Council of State Housing Agencies documented $28 billion in DPA distributed nationally in 2022. Yet the National Association of Realtors found that 87% of first-time buyers identify the down payment as their primary barrier. The gap between available funding and buyer awareness is the real problem. A 2023 Freddie Mac study found that 72% of first-time buyers overestimate the minimum down payment required. Many who believe they need $40,000 to buy a home in Virginia need closer to $3,500 when DPA is applied correctly.
DPA funds distributed nationally in 2022
Of first-time buyers say down payment is their primary barrier
Of first-time buyers overestimate minimum down payment required