Virginia Down Payment Assistance Eligibility (2026)
Virginia's requirements are a 620 credit score, income under Virginia Housing's limit for your locality, and a primary residence. Here is what qualifies you, and how the grant and bond rules differ.
Who qualifies for Virginia down payment assistance
The core gates are a 620 credit score, income under Virginia Housing’s limit for your locality, and a home you will live in as your primary residence. Virginia Housing sets income and sales-price limits locality by locality, and they change, so we confirm your specific figures before you shop. Homebuyer education is required. The assistance pairs with a Virginia Housing first mortgage, conventional (including reduced or no MI), FHA, VA, or USDA.
Grant limits, bond limits, and non-bond
Here is the nuance that trips people up. Virginia Housing has different income tiers. The grant programs, because they are the most generous, carry the lowest income limits. The bond first mortgages use bond limits and are for first-time buyers, though those are waived in targeted areas and for qualifying veterans. The non-bond programs allow higher income limits and can serve repeat buyers. So your income might be too high for a grant but fine for the Plus Second or the loan itself, which is exactly the kind of thing we check. See the repeat buyers page.
Limits vary by locality
Unlike a single statewide number, Virginia Housing’s income and price limits are set by locality, so the figure in high-cost Northern Virginia is very different from the one in Roanoke. Because the limits move and vary, the reliable step is to check your specific locality against the current Virginia Housing figures rather than rely on a general number. We do that up front. See the program overview for the full picture.
Common questions
What credit score do I need for Virginia down payment assistance?
Virginia Housing requires a 620 minimum credit score. You also need income under the limit for your locality and a home that will be your primary residence.
What are the income limits for Virginia down payment assistance?
Virginia Housing sets income limits by locality and by program, and they change. Grant programs carry lower limits than the loan programs; non-bond programs allow higher limits than bond programs. Check your locality's current figures at Virginia Housing.
Can repeat buyers qualify for Virginia Housing?
Yes. Virginia Housing's non-bond programs can serve repeat buyers. The bond first mortgages are first-time only, waived in targeted areas and for veterans. Income limits differ between bond and non-bond.
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