See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Norfolk, VA (2026)
Norfolk is a vibrant coastal city in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia, home to the world's largest naval station. With a median home price of around $315,000, Norfolk offers some of the most substantial local homebuyer assistance in the state through its Homeward Norfolk program, which provides up to $60,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for households under 80% AMI, or up to $40,000 for those between 80% and 120% AMI. Buyers can also access the Virginia Housing DPA Grant for 2% to 2.5% of the purchase price, the DHCD HOMEownership DPA for up to $40,000, and the Virginia Pilot DPA for up to $50,000. Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads also serves Norfolk. By combining local and state programs, Norfolk buyers can potentially access over $100,000 in assistance.
City Programs in Norfolk
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homeward Norfolk Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $40,000 for households between 80% and 120% AMI. Up to $60,000 for households under 80% AMI. | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000 for households between 80% and 120% AMI. Up to $60,000 for households under 80% AMI.
- 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
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with 30-year fixed-rate mortgage capped at 30% of household income | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with 30-year fixed-rate mortgage capped at 30% of household income
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for the Homeward Norfolk program, which provides up to $60,000 for households under 80% AMI or up to $40,000 for those between 80% and 120% AMI.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Eastern Virginia (CCEVA) at 757-622-7000 for HUD-approved housing counseling.
Step 3: Contact the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) to apply for the Homeward Norfolk program. Your home must be in an eligible Norfolk neighborhood.
Step 4: Contact a Virginia Housing-approved lender to access the state DPA Grant (2% to 2.5% of purchase price) and determine which loan product fits your situation.
Step 5: Explore additional state assistance. Contact a DHCD-approved local DPA provider for the HOMEownership DPA (up to $40,000) or Pilot Program (up to $50,000) if you meet income requirements.
Step 6: Get pre-approved and find a home. Work with your real estate agent and lender to find a home within program limits and complete the formal application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Norfolk?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What neighborhoods are eligible for Homeward Norfolk?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
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