First-time buyer programs
First-time home buyer programs in District of Columbia
District of Columbia's first-time-buyer help is run by DCHFA and DHCD. These programs can lower your rate, cover part of your down payment and closing costs, and give you a mortgage tax credit. Here's what's offered, who qualifies, and where to apply.
Who runs the programs in District of Columbia
runs the HPAP down-payment grant.
Agency names and URLs last verified 2026-07-18 against the NCSHA and HUD directories.
How much help you'd need in District of Columbia
Assistance is sized against the cash you have to bring, so start from that number. On a $400,000 home in District of Columbia with 10% down:
| Up-front cost | Estimated in District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Down payment (10%) | $40,000 |
| Closing costs | $12,842 – $16,942 |
| Total cash to close | $52,842 – $56,942 |
| Monthly payment | $2,933 |
Down-payment assistance is usually aimed at the first line and closing-cost help at the second — so in District of Columbia the realistic gap a program needs to close is somewhere between $52,842 and $56,942.
District of Columbia levies a transfer/deed tax of about 1.1% and it is customarily the buyer's to pay — real cash you need up front, and a line assistance may help with.
This state commonly requires an attorney for parts of the closing (such as deed or title work) — confirm locally.
District of Columbia's effective property-tax rate of 0.888% is close to the U.S. average of 0.888%, and it is collected monthly through escrow — which matters here because it moves the monthly payment a lender uses to decide how much you qualify for. Property taxes in District of Columbia.
Illustrative estimate — a $400,000 single-family home, conventional loan, 10% down, good credit, at an assumed 6.75% rate. Your real figures come from your Loan Estimate. ~0.89% US average (2024 ACS) — varies by state and county. Property-tax source: Construction Coverage 'Where Are U.S. Property Taxes Highest?' (2026 ed.), US Census 2024 ACS effective owner-occupied rate; pub. 2026-02-09. Transfer-tax source: each state's own transfer-tax statute or revenue department, read directly (NY: NY Dept. of Taxation & Finance); accessed July 2026. Who conducts the closing: DocJacket / ALTA (2026), Superior Notary Services, HomeLight — cross-referenced; practice varies and changes, confirm locally. The dollar ranges behind it — loan origination, the appraisal, title insurance, homeowners insurance, and the attorney or settlement fee — are typical ranges rather than sourced figures: they vary by lender, provider, and market.
Amounts, rates, and income/price limits change. They are set by DCHFA and DHCDand updated periodically, so we don't list dollar figures here — the official site above has the current numbers. What these programs offer and who typically qualifies is much the same wherever you buy: the product set, the eligibility framework, and the national directories.
First, know your numbers
Assistance programs layer on top of a mortgage you qualify for. See what you can afford in District of Columbia. It's free, and you don't need an account to start.
Start free without an account