DC Will Lend You Up To $202,000 To Buy Your First Home
HPAP is one of the largest down payment assistance programs in the country. Zero percent interest, no monthly payments for most buyers, and the funding is first-come, first-served.
Status checked October 3, 2026: DHCD's HPAP dashboard shows FY2026 funds Available $0.0M (data as of 5/4/2026), and DHCD's HPAP page has not posted FY2027 information. DCHFA's lender rate sheet (last updated 10/2/2026) lists DC Open Doors, DC4ME and HomeAdvantage DC assistance as N/A. Confirm current status with DHCD, DCHFA or a DCHFA-approved lender.
DC first-time buyer programs & credentials
Real First-Time Buyers
The best part of the job — handing over the first set of keys.
Every photo here is a real client who thought home-ownership was years away — until we mapped the path together.
Keys In Hand
First home · closing day
First-Time Buyer
Solo buyer · Washington, DC
Home Sweet Home
First-time buyers · closing day
Closing Day Smiles
First-time buyers · closing day
A New Chapter
First-time homeowner
Welcome Home
First-time buyer · Samson Properties closing
Closing Day
New homeowner
First Homeowner!
Couple closing · DC metro
It's Key Time
New keys · Samson Properties
Sold & Celebrated
Buyer success story · Washington, DC
Another First Home
Buyer win · closing day
Programs & Services
The Five DC Programs Worth Knowing
Washington, DC has some of the strongest buyer assistance in the country. These are the five programs that matter most right now — start with the one that fits, then check your eligibility for all of them.
100% free. No obligation. We’ll point you to the right programs.
Home Purchase Assistance Program
HPAP is the flagship DC down payment assistance program: up to $202,000 in gap financing plus $4,000 toward closing costs, at zero interest, with repayment deferred entirely for lower-income buyers.
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors provides down payment assistance of 3.5% of the purchase price on FHA loans or 3% on conventional loans, structured as a zero-interest loan — and it is open to repeat buyers, not just first-timers.
DC4ME
DC4ME is designed for full-time District government employees — including charter school employees. It pairs a reduced-rate first mortgage with an optional 3% down payment assistance loan at zero interest, and it can be combined with HPAP.
HomeAdvantage DC
HomeAdvantage DC launched in May 2026 and is still largely unknown. It combines a below-market 30-year fixed mortgage with up to 3.5% down payment assistance as a zero-interest deferred loan.
Employer-Assisted Housing Program
EAHP is the District's down payment program for its own employees: a 0% deferred loan of up to $20,000 plus a matching funds grant of up to $5,000 for eligible full-time DC government employees, with an enhanced tier for first responders (DC teachers should confirm their exact amount with DHCD in writing). It stacks with DC4ME, and combining it with HPAP also requires you to be a current DC resident. It is run by DHCD.
The Process
How It Works
Check eligibility
2 minutes. We’ll map the best-fit programs for your situation.
Get matched
We’ll outline HPAP, DC Open Doors, DC4ME, HomeAdvantage DC and EAHP options and explain the real numbers.
Book a consult
Get pre-approved with the right lender and a clean plan for first-come, first-served funding.
Buy with confidence
Tour homes, write strong offers, and use assistance the smart way.
DC Down Payment Assistance, Answered
What We Help With
Kind Words
5.0-star rated by verified clients
My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Ronnie on our first home purchase and we both HIGHLY recommend him!
I went into this process not knowing much about the home buying process but he guided me through it all and made it easier for me as a first time homebuyer!
Next Step
See Which DC Programs You Qualify For — In 2 Minutes
Answer a few questions and we’ll map the best-fit programs (HPAP, DC Open Doors, DC4ME, EAHP, HomeAdvantage DC) based on your income, credit, and where you want to live in the District.