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.
Virginia Housing income limits by area (2026)
Virginia Housing sets its income cap by area, not as one statewide number, so high-cost Northern Virginia runs far above the rest of the state. The table below is the DPA / CCA grant program limit, the down-payment-assistance tier, taken from the Virginia Housing lender flyer effective August 1, 2026. Limits count all household member income. Any locality not listed uses the "all other areas" figures.
| Area (DPA / CCA grant) | 2 or fewer people | 3+ people | Sales price limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington / Arlington / Alexandria (Northern Virginia) | $148,000 | $174,000 | $800,000 |
| Culpeper | $98,000 | $115,000 | $675,000 |
| Norfolk / Virginia Beach / Newport News | $97,000 | $113,000 | $575,000 |
| Richmond | $96,000 | $110,000 | $550,000 |
| Charlottesville | $95,000 | $109,000 | $550,000 |
| All other areas of Virginia | $90,000 | $103,000 | $500,000 |
Source: Virginia Housing, 2026 Income and Sales Price / Loan Limits flyer (effective 8/1/2026). The Standard / bond first-mortgage program allows higher income ($112,000 to $186,000 for 2 or fewer people, up to $217,000 for 3+ in Northern Virginia). The Expanded / non-bond program (first-time and repeat buyers) allows $175,000 statewide, $245,000 in Northern Virginia, with no sales-price cap. Verify your locality's current figure with us before you lock. 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 2026 Virginia Housing income limits?
Virginia Housing sets income limits by area and program, effective August 1, 2026. On the DPA / CCA grant (first-time buyers), most of Virginia caps income at $90,000 for 2 or fewer people and $103,000 for 3 or more, rising to $148,000 / $174,000 in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro. The Standard bond first-mortgage program allows more ($112,000 to $186,000 for 2 or fewer), and the Expanded non-bond program (first-time and repeat buyers) allows $175,000 statewide, $245,000 in Northern Virginia, with no sales-price cap. Sales-price limits run $500,000 to $800,000 by area.
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.
Ready to see your options?
Tell us your county, credit range, and price target, and we’ll map your Virginia path in a no-pressure 20-minute call. No obligation.