See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 28, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Rockville, MD (2026)

Population: 69,000 | Median home price: $650,000 | Est. closing costs: $13,000 - $19,500

Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County and one of the most established cities in the Washington, D.C. metro area, with a population of about 69,000 and a median home price near $650,000. Despite the high cost of entry, Rockville buyers have access to strong assistance at every level of government. The Montgomery County Homeownership Assistance Fund (McHAF) and the Montgomery Homeownership Program each offer up to $25,000 in deferred-loan down payment assistance, while the Montgomery Employee Down Payment Assistance Loan (MEDPAL) provides $25,000 to eligible county employees and MCPS union members. The HOC Revolving Closing Cost Assistance Program (RCCAP) adds up to $10,000 toward closing costs, and the City of Rockville runs its own MPDU Homeownership Program that makes select for-sale homes available at below-market prices. By stacking state, county, and city programs, eligible Rockville buyers can potentially access over $60,000 in combined assistance.

City Programs in Rockville

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Rockville MPDU Homeownership Program	Deferred Loan	Below-market purchase price on city-regulated affordable housing units	Yes	View →

Rockville MPDU Homeownership Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Below-market purchase price on city-regulated affordable housing units
First-time only:: Yes

County Programs in Montgomery County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
HOC Revolving Closing Cost Assistance Program (RCCAP)	Zero-Interest Loan	5% of the sales price, up to $10,000	Yes	View →
Montgomery County Homeownership Assistance Fund (McHAF)	Deferred Loan	Up to $25,000	Yes	View →
Montgomery County MPDU Homeownership Program	Deferred Loan	Below-market purchase price on regulated housing units	Yes	View →
Montgomery Employee Down Payment Assistance Loan (MEDPAL)	Deferred Loan	$25,000	Yes	View →
Montgomery Homeownership Program	Deferred Loan	Up to $25,000 (40% of qualifying borrower income, maximum $25,000)	Yes	View →

HOC Revolving Closing Cost Assistance Program (RCCAP)

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: 5% of the sales price, up to $10,000
First-time only:: Yes

Montgomery County Homeownership Assistance Fund (McHAF)

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $25,000
First-time only:: Yes

Montgomery County MPDU Homeownership Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Below-market purchase price on regulated housing units
First-time only:: Yes

Montgomery Employee Down Payment Assistance Loan (MEDPAL)

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: $25,000
First-time only:: Yes

Montgomery Homeownership Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $25,000 (40% of qualifying borrower income, maximum $25,000)
First-time only:: Yes

State Programs in Maryland

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
FHLBA Community Partners Product	Forgivable Loan	Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs	No	View →
FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product	Forgivable Loan	Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs	Yes	View →
FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+	Grant	Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs	No	View →
Maryland HomeAbility	Deferred Loan	0% deferred second loan of up to 25% of the purchase price, capped at $45,000, for down payment and closing costs; first and second loans combined may not exceed 105% of the purchase price	Yes	View →
Maryland Mortgage Program - 1st Time Advantage	Deferred Loan	Up to $6,000 or 3%-5% of the first mortgage amount	Yes	View →
Maryland Mortgage Program - Flex Loan	Deferred Loan	Up to $6,000	No	View →
Maryland SmartBuy 3.0	Forgivable Loan	Up to 15% of the purchase price or $20,000, whichever is less	No	View →

FHLBA Community Partners Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: Yes

FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

Maryland HomeAbility

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: 0% deferred second loan of up to 25% of the purchase price, capped at $45,000, for down payment and closing costs; first and second loans combined may not exceed 105% of the purchase price
First-time only:: Yes

Maryland Mortgage Program - 1st Time Advantage

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $6,000 or 3%-5% of the first mortgage amount
First-time only:: Yes

Maryland Mortgage Program - Flex Loan

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $6,000
First-time only:: No

Maryland SmartBuy 3.0

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to 15% of the purchase price or $20,000, whichever is less
First-time only:: No

Federal Programs

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
FHA Loans	Government-Insured Mortgage	Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)	No	View →
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)	Government Property Sale Program	50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes	Yes	View →
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment	No	View →
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment	No	View →
HUD $100 Down Program	FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase	Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.	No	View →
USDA Rural Development Loans	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value	No	View →
VA Loans	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)	No	View →

FHA Loans

Type:: Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:: Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
First-time only:: No

Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)

Type:: Government Property Sale Program
Amount:: 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:: Yes

Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
First-time only:: No

HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
First-time only:: No

HUD $100 Down Program

Type:: FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
Amount:: Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
First-time only:: No

USDA Rural Development Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:: No

VA Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
First-time only:: No

Nonprofit Programs

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgage with zero-interest terms	No	View →

Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage with zero-interest terms
First-time only:: No

Free eligibility check

21 programs available in Rockville. See which ones you qualify for.

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Question 1 of 6

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Montgomery County programs require household income at or below area median income limits set by HUD, and many require a minimum credit score of 640. Review current income and sales price limits on the HOC website or through a participating lender.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. At least one borrower must complete a HUD-approved first-time homebuyer course. The Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP) offers a 6-hour Saturday workshop for $30 per person. You can reach HIP at 301-916-5946 to register.

Step 3: Contact the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC). HOC administers most Montgomery County homebuyer programs including McHAF, RCCAP, and the Mortgage Purchase Program. Call 240-627-9400 or visit their website to connect with approved lenders.

Step 4: Get pre-approved through a participating lender. Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) and HOC programs require you to work with an approved lender who can package state, county, and federal assistance together. Ask about stacking the Montgomery Homeownership Program or McHAF with your first mortgage.

Step 5: Explore the Rockville MPDU program. If you are interested in below-market priced homes within city limits, email rockvillempdu@rockvillemd.gov or call 240-314-8300 to apply for the MPDU waiting list. Applications must be renewed every two years.

Step 6: Find a home and submit your application. Work with your lender to identify properties within program price limits. Once under contract, your lender will submit the DPA application on your behalf. Processing times vary, so start the process early.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Rockville?+

Rockville buyers can access multiple layers of assistance. The Montgomery County Homeownership Assistance Fund (McHAF) offers up to $25,000 as a deferred loan forgiven after 10 years. The Montgomery Homeownership Program provides up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost help. The HOC Revolving Closing Cost Assistance Program (RCCAP) adds up to $10,000 toward closing costs. County employees and MCPS union members may qualify for the MEDPAL program at $25,000. Additionally, the Maryland Mortgage Program offers state-level assistance including the 1st Time Advantage 6000 ($6,000) and Flex 5000 ($5,000) products. By combining eligible programs, qualified buyers could access over $60,000 in total assistance.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

Most programs in Montgomery County require first-time buyer status, meaning you have not owned a home in the past three years. This includes McHAF, the Montgomery Homeownership Program, MEDPAL, and the Rockville MPDU program. However, the Maryland Mortgage Program Flex products are available to both first-time and repeat buyers purchasing in Maryland, and the HOC RCCAP may also be available to non-first-time buyers in certain cases.

What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+

Purchase price limits vary by program and are updated periodically. The HOC Mortgage Purchase Program and Montgomery County programs set sales price limits that reflect Montgomery County market conditions. Because Rockville home values are among the highest in Maryland, it is important to check current limits with an HOC-approved lender or on the HOC website before beginning your search.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Most Montgomery County and state programs require at least one borrower to complete a HUD-approved first-time homebuyer education course. The Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP) offers a 6-hour Saturday workshop in the area for $30 per person. You can register by calling 301-916-5946. Certificates from any HUD-approved counseling agency are accepted.

What is the Rockville MPDU Homeownership Program?+

The City of Rockville requires certain housing developers to set aside a percentage of for-sale homes at below-market prices through its Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit (MPDU) program. This is separate from the Montgomery County MPDU program. Eligible first-time buyers who qualify for a minimum mortgage of $150,000 can apply to the MPDU waiting list. Owners must live in the home as their primary residence for the full 30-year control period. Contact the City of Rockville Housing Programs Division at 240-314-8300 or email rockvillempdu@rockvillemd.gov to apply.

Can I combine multiple programs together?+

Yes, many of these programs are designed to stack. For example, you could combine a Maryland Mortgage Program first mortgage with the Montgomery Homeownership Program or McHAF for down payment assistance, plus the RCCAP for closing cost help. An HOC-approved lender can help you determine which combination of programs you qualify for and how to maximize your total assistance.