Home Buyer Assistance Programs in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia

Buying a home can feel out of reach when you start adding up the down payment, closing costs, lender fees, inspections, moving expenses, and reserves. But here’s the good news: depending on where you want to buy, there may be local, state, or regional programs designed to help qualified buyers reduce the amount of cash needed upfront.

For April 2026, here are several buyer assistance programs worth knowing about across Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Frederick County, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and Howard County.

Prince George’s County, Maryland

Prince George’s County offers the Pathway to Purchase program for eligible first-time homebuyers. The program may provide up to $50,000 toward down payment and closing costs for the purchase of a home in Prince George’s County.

Eligible property types include resale homes, foreclosures, short sales, and new construction. The assistance is structured as a 0% interest deferred loan that may be forgiven after 15 years.

This can be especially helpful for buyers who qualify for a mortgage but need support with the upfront cash required to close.

Montgomery County, Maryland

Montgomery County buyers may be able to use the Montgomery Homeownership Program through the Maryland Mortgage Program. This program is available to eligible borrowers purchasing in Montgomery County and can provide a second mortgage of up to $50,000 for down payment and closing cost assistance.

The second mortgage has a 0% interest rate, and repayment is deferred until sale, refinance, transfer, or 30 years, whichever comes first.

There is also the Montgomery Employee Down Payment Assistance Loan, known as MEDPAL, for approved Montgomery County employees purchasing in the county. MEDPAL also offers a $50,000 second mortgage, with 0% interest and potential forgiveness after 30 years if the loan has not already been repaid.

Frederick County, Maryland

Frederick County has a Homebuyer Assistance Program administered by the Frederick County Division of Housing. The program helps eligible first-time homebuyers with limited resources and may provide up to $12,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.

The application is submitted on behalf of the buyer by the first lender.

Frederick County buyers may also want to look into the United Way of Frederick County’s Pathway to Homeownership Program . This program helps qualified ALICE households save toward homeownership. According to United Way, participants who save $3,000 may receive a $14,000 match, creating a total of $17,000 that can be used toward purchasing a home.

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. has one of the more substantial buyer assistance options in the region through the Home Purchase Assistance Program , commonly called HPAP.

HPAP provides interest-free loans and closing cost assistance to qualified applicants purchasing a single-family home, condo, or cooperative unit in the District. For eligible households, HPAP may provide up to $202,000 in gap financing assistance, plus up to $4,000 in closing cost assistance.

To qualify, applicants generally must be first-time homebuyers, meet income requirements, purchase a primary residence in D.C., and apply through one of the approved community-based organizations. District residents are prioritized for HPAP assistance.

D.C. also offers the Employer-Assisted Housing Program , known as EAHP, for eligible District government employees. EAHP provides a deferred 0% interest loan and matching funds grant for down payment and closing costs.

Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia assistance varies by locality, so buyers should pay close attention to the county or city where they want to purchase.

Fairfax County

In Fairfax County, the First-Time Homebuyers Program provides access to new and resale homes at below-market prices for qualified buyers.

Applicants generally must not have owned a home in the last three years, must meet income requirements, need a credit score of at least 620, and must complete the required orientation and Virginia Housing homebuyer education.

Arlington County

In Arlington County, the Moderate-Income Purchase Assistance Program , or MIPAP, is open to eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing in Arlington.

It may provide a deferred-payment, no-interest loan of up to 25% of the purchase price. The maximum loan amount is the lesser of 25% of the purchase price or $112,500, and the maximum purchase price is $500,000.

Alexandria

In Alexandria, the Flexible Homeownership Assistance Program may provide no-interest, deferred-payment down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time buyers purchasing through certain city-supported affordable homeownership programs.

Alexandria also notes that some buyers may be eligible for shared equity assistance of up to $50,000 or $75,000, depending on the program.

Loudoun County

In Loudoun County, the Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance Program and DPCC Plus may help moderate-income first-time buyers.

Eligible buyers may be able to borrow up to 10% of the sales price or $70,000, whichever is less. Loans are forgivable over 15 years with no interest, and applicants must live and/or work in Loudoun County for at least six months.

Virginia Statewide Option

Virginia buyers may also be able to use statewide options through Virginia Housing . The Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant is a true grant, meaning it does not have to be repaid, and it must be paired with eligible Virginia Housing loans.

Howard County, Maryland

Howard County offers several homeownership resources through its Department of Housing & Community Development , including homebuyer education, the Moderate Income Housing Unit program, and the Settlement Downpayment Loan Program.

The Settlement Downpayment Loan Program helps eligible buyers with settlement and down payment costs. The loans are deferred and become due upon sale, refinance, default, or when the home is no longer the borrower’s primary residence.

Howard County states that lenders process the requests, and buyers must complete pre-purchase counseling.

Howard County’s MIHU Homeownership Program may also provide opportunities to purchase below-market homes, with open enrollment periods held quarterly in January, April, July, and October.

Maryland Statewide Programs

For buyers purchasing in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick, or Howard County, the Maryland Mortgage Program may also be worth exploring.

Many Maryland Mortgage Program loan products for first-time and repeat buyers offer down payment assistance, and an MMP-approved lender can help determine which product fits the buyer’s situation.

Maryland Mortgage Program eligibility can depend on factors like income, whether the buyer owns other residential property, whether the home will be used as a primary residence, and whether the property is in a targeted area.

A Quick Note About Timing and Available Funds

One important thing to know: many home buyer assistance programs are funded on a limited basis. That means availability can change, funds can run out, and program guidelines may shift with little notice.

So if you see a program that may be a good fit, it is important to move quickly. That does not mean rushing into the wrong home. It means getting connected with an approved lender, confirming eligibility, completing any required homebuyer education, and understanding the timeline before you are ready to write an offer.

In a competitive market, preparation matters. The buyers who understand their financing options early are often in a stronger position when the right home becomes available.

The Bottom Line

Buyer assistance programs can make a meaningful difference, but they are not one-size-fits-all. Some programs are grants. Some are deferred loans. Some are forgivable over time. Some are only available to first-time buyers, while others may work for repeat buyers or public employees.

Many also require homebuyer education, lender approval, income limits, purchase price limits, and available funding.

That is why the best first step is not just asking, “What program exists?” The better question is:

Which program fits my income, location, loan type, timeline, and offer strategy?

Thinking About Buying?

Thinking about buying in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Frederick County, Howard County, Washington D.C., or Northern Virginia?

Let’s talk strategy before you start touring homes. I can help you identify which programs may fit your situation, connect you with the right lender resources, and understand which programs currently have funds available.

Some assistance programs can run out of funding or change without much notice, so the earlier you prepare, the better positioned you may be when the right home hits the market.

The right program could help you get in the door. The right plan helps you get to the closing table.

Not sure where to start? I can connect you with an experienced, qualified lender who can help you review your options, confirm eligibility, and understand which buyer assistance programs may fit your situation.