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.
How EAHP works
The Employer-Assisted Housing Program (EAHP) is run by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for eligible District government employees. The standard benefit is a loan of up to $20,000 plus a matching funds grant of up to $5,000. DHCD states there is no income cap for EAHP applicants and no cash contribution requirement.
The loan has zero interest, and no payments are required until the property is sold or transferred, is no longer occupied as your principal residence, or is refinanced with cash out. The home must be a single family home, condominium or cooperative unit in the District and must become your principal residence.
First responders get an enhanced tier (DC teachers should confirm their exact amount with DHCD in writing): up to $10,000 in down payment assistance as a recoverable grant for participants who agree to a five-year service obligation, plus a matching funds grant of up to $15,000. If the five-year residence and service conditions are not met, the $10,000 grant converts to a deferred zero-interest loan. Everyone eligible for the first-responder grant is also eligible for the standard $20,000 EAHP loan.
Key benefits
Up to $20,000 at 0% with no monthly payment
The standard EAHP loan carries zero interest and nothing is due until you sell or transfer, move out, or refinance with cash out.
Matching funds grant up to $5,000
On top of the loan, DHCD offers a matching funds grant of up to $5,000 for eligible employees.
Enhanced tier for first responders
DHCD defines the first-responder grant as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and corrections officers, who can receive up to $10,000 as a recoverable grant plus a matching funds grant of up to $15,000, tied to a five-year service commitment.
Stacks with DC4ME
DCHFA states DC4ME can be combined with EAHP. Combining EAHP with HPAP also requires you to be a current DC resident. Used together, a DC employee can layer a reduced-rate first mortgage, HPAP gap financing and EAHP.
The steps
Confirm you are eligible
You must be a full-time District government employee in good standing with at least one year of service. The one-year service requirement is waived for police officers, corrections officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and teachers in a public or public charter school. Good standing means no adverse action by your District employer in the past three years.
Check the first-time rule
You must be a first-time home buyer in the District, meaning no ownership of a principal residence in the District in the past three years. Owning property in another jurisdiction does not disqualify you.
Attend an orientation session
EAHP applications start at a DHCD community-based organization (CBO). Attend the orientation first.
Schedule your application appointment and complete the eight-hour homebuyer training
DHCD requires an eight-hour training on home buying and homeownership. Bring your income, asset and employment documents.
Receive your Notice of Eligibility (NOE)
The CBO forwards your application to the HPAP Administrator, which reviews it, determines eligibility and issues an NOE. If you are also applying for HPAP, the two run through the same administrator.
First responders: sign the service agreement
Applicants for the first-responder grant must provide employment verification and execute a five-year service agreement before settlement.
Close with the assistance in place
Your EAHP loan and grant close alongside your first mortgage.
Watch out for
Assuming EAHP is only for first-time buyers everywhere
The first-time test is District-specific: you can own property in another state and still qualify, as long as you have not owned a principal residence in DC in the past three years.
Treating the first-responder grant as free money
The $10,000 recoverable grant depends on five years of residence and five years of service. Miss those and it converts to a deferred 0% loan.
Assuming funding is available
EAHP assistance is subject to funding availability. As of October 3, 2026, DHCD's EAHP page had not posted FY2027 EAHP status; confirm with DHCD before planning around it.
Source: DHCD Employer-Assisted Housing Program (EAHP) page (dhcd.dc.gov). Checked September 1, 2026.
Last updated: September 1, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for EAHP?
Full-time District government employees in good standing with at least one year of service, buying a principal residence in the District. The service requirement is waived for police officers, corrections officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and public or public charter school teachers.
How much does EAHP give me?
A loan of up to $20,000 at 0% interest plus a matching funds grant of up to $5,000. First responders can receive up to $10,000 as a recoverable grant (DC teachers should confirm their exact amount with DHCD in writing) plus a matching funds grant of up to $15,000, and they are also eligible for the standard $20,000 loan.
Is there an income limit?
DHCD states there is no income cap for EAHP applicants and no cash contribution requirement.
When do I repay the EAHP loan?
The loan has zero interest and no payments are required until the property is sold or transferred, is no longer your principal residence, or is refinanced with cash out.
Can I combine EAHP with HPAP or DC4ME?
EAHP stacks with DC4ME. Combining it with HPAP also requires you to be a current DC resident, per DHCD. Confirm the exact stack with a lender who closes these regularly.
When is EAHP funding available?
EAHP assistance is subject to funding availability. As of October 3, 2026, DHCD's EAHP page had not posted FY2027 EAHP status; confirm with DHCD before planning around it. HPAP applications are served in Notice of Eligibility date order.
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Last updated: October 3, 2026. Ronnie Gilmer · Samson Properties · Licensed in Washington DC and Maryland. Independently operated and not affiliated with any government agency, the DC Department of Housing and Community Development, or the DC Housing Finance Agency.