Summary answer: Yes — Virginia Housing offers a Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Grant that doesn't need to be repaid: 2.5% of the purchase price on an FHA loan, or 2.0% on a conventional loan. For the Arlington/Washington area specifically, the income limit is $148,000 for households of two or fewer and $174,000 for households of three or more, with a $500,000 purchase price cap. There's also a Standard Bond option with higher income limits ($186,000/$217,000) and an $800,000 sales price cap, which fits Arlington's price point better for many buyers.
I'm Johnny with JQ Real Estate. Given Arlington's prices, knowing which of these programs actually applies to you matters a lot — let me break it down.
The two main Virginia Housing options
| Program | Assistance | Income Limit (2 or fewer / 3+) | Sales Price Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| DPA Grant | 2.5% (FHA) or 2.0% (Conventional) of purchase price, no repayment | $148,000 / $174,000 | $500,000 |
| Standard Bond | Below-market rate financing | $186,000 / $217,000 | $800,000 |
Why the price cap matters more here than almost anywhere else in Virginia
This is the single biggest thing Arlington buyers need to understand about these programs: the DPA Grant's $500,000 sales price cap rules out most of Arlington's single-family market and a real chunk of the condo market too. The Standard Bond program's $800,000 cap fits Arlington's condo market comfortably and reaches into the lower end of the single-family market. If you're targeting a home above $800,000, neither of these specific programs will apply, and you'd be looking at other down payment strategies instead.
Basic eligibility requirements
- First-time buyer status — no homeownership in the preceding three years (some exceptions apply in targeted areas)
- Minimum credit score of 620
- At least 1% borrower contribution toward the purchase
- Household income under the applicable limit for your household size
How this plays out for a real Arlington purchase
On a $450,000 condo purchase using an FHA loan with the DPA Grant, that's a $11,250 grant toward your down payment and closing costs — money you never have to repay. Combined with a 3.5% FHA down payment, that meaningfully lowers the cash you need to bring to closing, which matters in a market where saving six figures for a 20% down payment isn't realistic for most first-time buyers.
What if you're over the income or price limits?
You're not out of options — there are other down payment assistance and grant programs at the local and employer level (some employers, including certain federal agencies and Arlington County itself, offer their own homebuyer assistance), plus gift fund options from family. This is worth a real conversation rather than assuming you don't qualify for anything.
Find out what you actually qualify for
These programs have specific, sometimes overlapping rules, and the right fit depends on your income, target price, and loan type. I can connect you with a lender who specializes in DPA programs for Arlington buyers. Reach out and let's see what applies to you.