If you’re buying a home in Hampton Roads and think you need 20% down to make it happen, stop right there. That’s one of the biggest myths I hear from buyers — and it’s costing people real money and real time.
Down payment assistance programs in Hampton Roads can put thousands of dollars toward your purchase, and some of that money never has to be paid back. I’ve helped buyers tap into these programs and walk into closings with far less out of pocket than they expected. Here’s what’s actually available right now in 2026, who qualifies, and how to stack these programs for maximum benefit.
In This Article
Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant
This is the one I point most first-time buyers to first. Virginia Housing offers a straight-up grant — not a loan, a grant — worth 2% to 2.5% of your purchase price. On a $375,000 home in Chesapeake, that’s $7,500 to $9,375 you never pay back.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- FHA loans: Up to 2.5% of the purchase price as a grant
- Conventional loans: Up to 2% of the purchase price as a grant
- Minimum buyer contribution: 1% of the sales price (can come from gift funds)
- Minimum credit score: 640 for conventional, lower thresholds for FHA
The grant must be paired with a Virginia Housing loan through an approved lender. You also need to complete a free homebuyer education course — it’s available online and in Spanish, so it’s pretty accessible.
One thing that catches people off guard: Virginia Housing sets income and sales price limits by locality. In Hampton Roads, the sales price cap is $475,000, and income limits vary by household size and are updated annually — check Virginia Housing’s current limits to confirm your eligibility. Most buyers I work with in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake fall within those ranges comfortably.
DHCD HOMEownership Down Payment Assistance
This one flies under the radar, but it’s potentially the most generous program available. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development offers up to 10% to 15% of the sales price, plus up to $2,500 for closing costs. The maximum assistance caps at $40,000.
Here’s the part that matters: it’s structured as a soft-second mortgage with zero interest and zero monthly payments. After a set number of years — usually tied to how much assistance you received — the loan is completely forgiven. In practice, it works like a grant if you stay in the home.
To qualify, your household income needs to be at or below 80% of the area median income. You must be a first-time buyer, and the home has to be your primary residence.
Hampton Roads Loan Fund Partnership (HRLFP)
The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission runs this program using federal HOME funds, and it’s designed specifically for our region. The HRLFP provides forgivable, no-interest, no-monthly-payment assistance for down payment and closing costs.
The forgiveness timeline runs 5 to 10 years depending on the amount of assistance. As long as you live in the home as your primary residence and don’t refinance or sell within that window, the balance goes to zero.
Eligible areas include Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight County, James City County, Gloucester, Williamsburg, York County, and Poquoson. If you’re buying in Virginia Beach or Norfolk proper, this specific fund doesn’t cover those cities — but the Virginia Housing grant and DHCD program do.
Eligibility requirements mirror most DPA programs: household income below 80% AMI, first-time buyer status, pre-approval with a Virginia Housing lender, and completion of a homebuyer education course. Your minimum out-of-pocket contribution is 1% of the sales price.
Workforce Housing Plus+ Grant ($15,000)
This is the newest program and it fills a gap I’ve been frustrated about for years. If you earn too much for traditional assistance but still struggle to save for a down payment, the Workforce Housing Plus+ program from FHLBank Atlanta might be your answer.
The grant provides up to $15,000 toward down payment and closing costs. The eligibility window targets households earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income — that’s roughly in the mid-$80K to low-$120K range for a family in Hampton Roads, depending on household size and current HUD AMI tables.
Key details worth knowing:
- Both first-time and repeat buyers qualify
- Works with FHA, VA, and conventional loans
- $20 million funding pool opened February 26, 2026
- First-come, first-served — each lender is capped at $500,000/year
- Minimum $1,000 buyer contribution required
- Pre-purchase financial literacy counseling required
The limited funding is the catch. Once it’s gone, it’s gone until at least mid-year. If you’re thinking about buying this spring, getting pre-approved now puts you in position to grab these funds before they dry up.
Which Down Payment Assistance Programs Can You Stack?
This is where things get interesting. Some of these programs can be combined, which means more money in your pocket at closing.
| Program | Amount | Type | Can Stack? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Housing DPA Grant | 2–2.5% of price | Grant (never repaid) | Limited — cannot combine with FHA Plus |
| DHCD HOMEownership | Up to 15% + $2,500 | Forgivable loan | Yes — can combine with HRLFP |
| HRLFP (Hampton Roads) | Varies | Forgivable loan | Yes — can combine with DHCD |
| Workforce Housing Plus+ | Up to $15,000 | Grant | Yes — works with FHA, VA, conventional |
The most common combination I see locally is the HRLFP paired with the Virginia Housing grant. Your lender can walk you through which programs work together based on your specific loan type and income level.
What About VA Loan Buyers?
If you’re military and using a VA loan, you already have the biggest advantage: zero down payment required. But that doesn’t mean DPA programs are irrelevant to you. Closing costs still run 2% to 5% of the purchase price in Hampton Roads, and programs like the Workforce Housing Plus+ grant can cover those costs directly.
I’ve worked with military families PCSing to Naval Station Norfolk and NAS Oceana who used grant funds to cover closing costs on a VA loan, keeping their cash reserves intact for the move itself. That’s smart money management, especially when you’re also dealing with temporary lodging and household goods shipments.
How to Get Started
Here’s my honest advice: don’t wait until you find a house to start this process. DPA programs have paperwork, pre-approval requirements, and education courses that take time. The buyers who actually secure these funds start 60 to 90 days before they want to make an offer.
Steps to take this week:
- Check your household income against the AMI thresholds for Hampton Roads
- Get pre-approved with a Virginia Housing approved lender
- Complete the free homebuyer education course through Virginia Housing
- Ask your lender specifically about stacking DPA programs
If you’re buying in Hampton Roads and want to know which programs fit your situation, I’m happy to connect you with lenders who specialize in these programs and walk through the numbers. Reach out here and we’ll figure out the best path forward for you.