See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Virginia Beach, VA (2026)
Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia, located along the Atlantic coast in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. With a median home price of around $390,000, buyers here benefit from several state-level assistance programs. The Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant provides 2% to 2.5% of the purchase price as a free grant for first-time buyers using conventional or FHA loans, while the Closing Cost Assistance Grant covers up to 2% for VA and USDA borrowers. The DHCD HOMEownership DPA program can provide up to 10% to 15% of the sales price for income-eligible buyers, and the Virginia Down Payment Assistance Pilot Program offers up to $50,000 for households at or below 60% AMI. Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads also serves the area with affordable homeownership opportunities. By combining state and federal programs, buyers in Virginia Beach can potentially stack thousands of dollars in assistance.
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 Virginia Beach, which vary by household size. The DHCD HOMEownership DPA requires income at or below 80% AMI, and the Pilot Program requires income at or below 60% AMI.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Virginia Housing requires an approved homebuyer education course. Contact the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Eastern Virginia (CCEVA) at 757-622-7000 for HUD-approved counseling in the Hampton Roads area.
Step 3: Contact a Virginia Housing-approved lender. A participating lender can help you access the DPA Grant (2% to 2.5% of purchase price) and determine which Virginia Housing loan product fits your situation.
Step 4: Explore additional assistance. Contact a DHCD-approved local DPA provider to apply for the HOMEownership DPA (up to $40,000) or Pilot Program (up to $50,000) if you meet income requirements.
Step 5: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your lender will confirm how much home you can afford and which programs you qualify for.
Step 6: Find a home and submit your application. Work with your real estate agent to find a home within any applicable purchase price limits, then complete the formal application process with your lender and DPA provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Virginia Beach?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Virginia Beach?+−
What are the income limits for homebuyer programs in Virginia Beach?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does Habitat for Humanity serve Virginia Beach?+−
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