See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Arlington, VA (2026)
Arlington is a densely populated county just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., known for its urban villages and strong job market. With a median home price of around $759,000, Arlington is one of the most expensive housing markets in Virginia, making down payment assistance especially valuable here. Important note: because VHDA purchase price limits range from $450,000 to $750,000 depending on the area, many Arlington homes will exceed these caps, which means some Virginia Housing state programs like the DPA Grant and SPARC may not be available for higher-priced properties. The Arlington MIPAP program offers a deferred payment, no-interest loan of up to 25% of the home purchase price for down payment and closing costs, which is one of the most generous local programs in the state and is not subject to VHDA price limits. The DHCD HOMEownership DPA offers up to $40,000 for income-eligible households and has its own separate limits. Buyers should verify current VHDA purchase price caps with their lender before relying on state programs.
City Programs in Arlington
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington MIPAP Down Payment Assistance Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Deferred payment, no-interest loan of up to 25% of the home purchase price for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Deferred payment, no-interest loan of up to 25% of the home purchase price for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Virginia
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
| 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 | 2.5% (FHA Bond) or 2% (Conventional Bond) of the lesser of sales price or appraised value; down payment only | Yes | View → |
| Virginia Housing SPARC Program | Zero-Interest Loan | 1 percentage point reduction on Virginia Housing first mortgage interest rate | Yes | View → |
- 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:
- 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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- 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:
- 2.5% (FHA Bond) or 2% (Conventional Bond) of the lesser of sales price or appraised value; down payment only
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 1 percentage point reduction on Virginia Housing first mortgage interest rate
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 → |
- 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:
- 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
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The MIPAP program serves moderate-income first-time homebuyers. Income limits vary by household size. You must purchase in Arlington County. Important: verify current VHDA purchase price limits with your lender, as Arlington's median price of $759,000 exceeds many VHDA caps, which may make some state programs unavailable for higher-priced homes.
Step 2: Attend a homebuyer education workshop through AHOME Inc. AHOME is a nonprofit Arlington-based organization that conducts workshops and establishes homebuyer clubs for MIPAP applicants.
Step 3: Apply for MIPAP through Arlington County's Homeownership Program, administered jointly by Arlington County, AHC Inc., and AHOME Inc. The program provides up to 25% of the purchase price as a deferred, no-interest loan. MIPAP is not subject to VHDA purchase price limits.
Step 4: Contact a Virginia Housing-approved lender to access the state DPA Grant (2% to 2.5% of purchase price) and explore whether SPARC funding is available. Confirm that your target home price falls within VHDA purchase price limits before counting on these programs.
Step 5: Explore additional state assistance through a DHCD-approved local provider for the HOMEownership DPA (up to $40,000).
Step 6: Get pre-approved, find a home in Arlington, and complete the formal application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Arlington?+−
Will VHDA purchase price limits affect me in Arlington?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is MIPAP?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
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