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

Homebuyer Programs in Centreville, VA (2026)

Population: 72,058 | Median home price: $620,000 | Est. closing costs: $12,500 - $18,500

Skyline of Centreville, VA

Centreville is a census-designated place in western Fairfax County, Virginia, about 25 miles west of Washington, D.C., known for its family-friendly neighborhoods and proximity to major employers along the Dulles Corridor. With a median home price around $620,000, affordability is a real challenge, but Fairfax County offers several programs to help. The Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers (FTHB) Program sells homes at dramatically below-market prices starting around $95,000 to the low $200,000s, and the Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) Program offers homes from $200,000 to the high $400,000s. Buyers in the FTHB Program may also qualify for up to $10,000 in CDBG down payment assistance. When combined with state programs like the Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant (2-2.5% of the purchase price) and the DHCD HOMEownership DPA (up to $40,000), Centreville buyers can significantly reduce their upfront costs.

County Programs in Fairfax County

Fairfax County CDBG Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $10,000
First-time only:
Yes
Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers (FTHB) Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Below-market purchase price on a resale-restricted Affordable Dwelling Unit (not cash); county listings posted October 2026 ranged from $174,395 to $289,300, and the FY 2025 average sale price was $260,863
First-time only:
Yes
Fairfax County Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) Homebuyer Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Below-market purchase price set by the unit's AMI tier (not negotiable); recent county listings ranged from $186,600 to $538,050
First-time only:
No

State Programs in Virginia

DHCD HOMEownership Down Payment Assistance Program
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
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
Virginia Down Payment Assistance Pilot Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $50,000
First-time only:
Yes
Virginia Housing Closing Cost Assistance Grant
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to 2% of the purchase price
First-time only:
Yes
Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant
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
Virginia Housing SPARC Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
1 percentage point reduction on Virginia Housing first mortgage interest rate
First-time only:
Yes

Federal Programs

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

Habitat for Humanity of DC and Northern Virginia Homebuyer Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable, no-profit home purchase price with affordable mortgage payments
First-time only:
No

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Fairfax County FTHB Program requires household income up to 70% of AMI with a minimum of $25,000 annually. The WDU Program covers 70% to 100% of AMI. Both require a credit score of at least 620.

Step 2: Attend a Homeownership Orientation. This free session introduces all Fairfax County homebuyer programs and is the first step in the application process. Contact homeownership@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-246-5087 to register.

Step 3: Complete homebuyer education. A free Virginia Housing pre-purchase homebuyer education course is required. Cornerstones also offers free First-Time Homebuyer Classes monthly in English and Spanish. Contact Cornerstones at 571-323-1439.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a Virginia Housing-approved lender. The Virginia Housing SPARC program may offer a 1% interest rate reduction when funding is available.

Step 5: Complete the application process. For the FTHB and WDU programs, follow the 5-step process to receive your Passport to Homeownership. Homes are allocated through drawings.

Step 6: Apply for additional assistance. Once approved for a county program, ask about the CDBG Down Payment Assistance (up to $10,000) and state-level DPA programs to further reduce your costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Centreville?+
Centreville buyers have several options. The Fairfax County CDBG Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan. At the state level, the Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant covers 2-2.5% of the purchase price as a true grant, and the DHCD HOMEownership DPA provides up to $40,000. The Virginia Down Payment Assistance Pilot Program offers up to $50,000 for buyers at or below 60% AMI. By stacking eligible programs, buyers could access significant combined assistance.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
The Fairfax County FTHB Program and CDBG Down Payment Assistance require first-time buyer status, defined as not having owned a home in the past 3 years. The Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) Program does not require first-time buyer status but does require that you have no current ownership interest in real property. At the state level, the Virginia Housing DPA Grant and DHCD DPA both require first-time buyer status. Federal programs like FHA and VA loans do not.
What are the below-market home prices in Fairfax County programs?+
The First-Time Homebuyers (FTHB) Program offers homes priced from $95,000 to the low $200,000s, far below the Centreville median of $620,000. The Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) Program offers townhomes and condominiums priced from $200,000 to the high $400,000s within market-rate developments throughout the county. Both programs have 30-year resale restrictions.
What homebuyer education is required?+
All Fairfax County homebuyer programs require completion of a Virginia Housing pre-purchase homebuyer education course, which is offered at no cost. Cornerstones, a local nonprofit, also offers free First-Time Homebuyer Classes monthly in English and Spanish on behalf of Virginia Housing. Contact Cornerstones at 571-323-1439 to register.
What is the maximum income to qualify for Centreville homebuyer programs?+
Income limits vary by program. The FTHB Program requires income up to 70% of AMI with a minimum of $25,000 annually. The WDU Program covers 70% to 100% of AMI. The CDBG DPA requires income below 80% AMI. The state DHCD HOMEownership DPA requires income at or below 80% of AMI, and the Virginia Pilot DPA requires income at or below 60% AMI.
How long does it take to buy a home through Fairfax County programs?+
The timeline depends on the program and home availability. After completing the Homeownership Orientation, homebuyer education course, and application process, you receive a Passport to Homeownership. Homes are then allocated through drawings as they become available. The full process from orientation to closing can take several months or longer depending on housing inventory. Contact Fairfax County HCD at 703-246-5087 for current timelines.

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