Homebuyer Programs in Alexandria, VA (2026)
Alexandria is a historic city on the Potomac River just south of Washington, D.C., known for its charming Old Town and strong employment base. With a median home price of around $660,000, Alexandria is a high-cost market where local assistance programs are especially impactful. Buyers should be aware that VHDA purchase price limits range from $450,000 to $750,000 depending on the area, so some Virginia Housing state programs like the DPA Grant and SPARC may not be available for homes priced above the cap in Alexandria. The City of Alexandria Flexible Homeownership Assistance Program provides a shared equity loan of up to $50,000 for down payment and closing costs, and Housing Alexandria offers $8,000 in closing cost assistance. These local programs are not subject to VHDA price limits. The DHCD HOMEownership DPA offers up to $40,000 for income-eligible buyers with its own separate limits. Combining local and eligible state programs can help bridge the affordability gap in this competitive market.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Alexandria
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria Flexible Homeownership Assistance Program | Zero-Interest Loan | City shared equity loan up to $50,000 for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| 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+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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 → |
| Housing Alexandria Closing Cost Assistance | Grant | $8,000 in closing cost assistance | Yes | View → |
| DHCD HOMEownership Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to 10% to 15% of the sales price plus up to $2,500 for closing costs. Maximum assistance of $40,000. | Yes | View → |
| Virginia Down Payment Assistance Pilot Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $50,000 | Yes | View → |
| Virginia Housing Closing Cost Assistance Grant | Grant | Up to 2% of the purchase price | Yes | View → |
| Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant | Grant | 2% to 2.5% of the purchase price | Yes | View → |
| Virginia Housing SPARC Program | Zero-Interest Loan | 1 percentage point reduction on Virginia Housing first mortgage interest rate | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- City shared equity loan up to $50,000 for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $8,000 in closing cost assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 10% to 15% of the sales price plus up to $2,500 for closing costs. Maximum assistance of $40,000.
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 2% of the purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- 2% to 2.5% of the purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 1 percentage point reduction on Virginia Housing first mortgage interest rate
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. The Alexandria FHAP serves first-time buyers with income limits based on household size. Housing Alexandria also has income requirements for its closing cost assistance. Important
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education through a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. AHOME Inc. also offers workshops for the Northern Virginia area.
- Step 3:
Contact the City of Alexandria Office of Housing to apply for the Flexible Homeownership Assistance Program (up to $50,000 shared equity loan). This program is not subject to VHDA purchase price limits.
- Step 4:
Apply to Housing Alexandria for $8,000 in closing cost assistance during an open application period.
- Step 5:
Contact a Virginia Housing-approved lender to access the state DPA Grant (2% to 2.5% of purchase price) and explore additional state programs. Confirm that your target home price falls within VHDA purchase price limits before counting on these programs.
- Step 6:
Get pre-approved, find a home within the City of Alexandria, and complete the formal application process.