Status checked October 12, 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. DHCD's FY2026 HPAP page required NTP holders to close by August 1, 2026. That date has passed, and DHCD had not posted FY2027 HPAP timing as of October 12, 2026. DCHFA's lender rate sheet (updated 10/9/2026 for DC Open Doors and DC4ME, 10/8/2026 for HomeAdvantage DC) shows rates with down payment assistance for most options; DC Open Doors FHA with 3.5% DPA and DC4ME VA with DPA show N/A. DCHFA says DPA pricing can be unavailable on some days. Confirm current status with DHCD, DCHFA or a DCHFA-approved lender.
How HPAP works
The Home Purchase Assistance Program — HPAP — is one of the largest down payment assistance programs in the country. It exists to close the gap between what a DC household can qualify to borrow and what homes in the District actually cost.
Under DHCD's July 2026 HPAP table, gap financing caps at $202,000 for households at or below 50% of median family income (MFI), at $161,600, $141,400 or $101,000 at 51-80% MFI, and at $80,800 or $70,000 at 81-110% MFI, depending on income and household size. Eligible households can also get up to $4,000 toward closing costs, and all of it depends on HPAP having funds. The loan carries zero percent interest, and for lower-income buyers repayment is deferred entirely — no monthly payment at all.
HPAP is funded each fiscal year and the money is claimed first-come, first-served. That makes timing and preparation critical: buyers who are pre-approved and organized when funding is available are best positioned.
Key benefits
Up to $202,000 in gap financing
HPAP fills the gap between your first mortgage and the purchase price, making DC home prices reachable for first-time buyers.
$4,000 toward closing costs
Additional assistance on top of gap financing to cover the costs of closing on your home.
Zero percent interest
HPAP charges no interest at all — every dollar goes toward your home, not loan costs.
No monthly payments for most buyers
For lower-income buyers, repayment is deferred entirely, so there is no monthly HPAP payment to budget for.
The steps
Complete homebuyer education through a DHCD community-based organization (CBO)
HPAP applications go through a DHCD-approved CBO. Attend the orientation and the required homebuyer training and gather your income, asset and employment documents.
Apply through the CBO
The CBO forwards your completed application to the HPAP administrator, who processes applications on the District's behalf.
Receive your Notice of Eligibility (NOE)
The administrator reviews your file, determines eligibility and issues an NOE that states your maximum assistance and the steps to follow. DHCD assists NOE holders in order of their initial application/NOE date, so this date is your place in line.
Find your home and get your Notice to Proceed (NTP)
Once funding is available for your NOE date, the program administrators issue an NTP. Shop with your NOE amount and a pre-approval from a participating lender.
Ratify a contract and close inside the NTP window
DHCD currently gives NTP holders 90 days to choose a home, enter into a contract and close. The exact deadline is printed on your NTP, so line up your lender and agent before it is issued. DHCD's FY2026 HPAP page required NTP holders to close by August 1, 2026. That date has passed, and DHCD had not posted FY2027 HPAP timing as of October 12, 2026.
Close with HPAP in place
Your HPAP gap financing and the $4,000 closing cost assistance fund at settlement alongside your first mortgage.
Watch out for
Waiting until you find a house
Because HPAP is served in NOE date order and funding is first-come, first-served, buyers who start the CBO application after finding a home usually miss the money. Get your NOE first.
Assuming the headline number is guaranteed
The $202,000 maximum applies only to households at or below 50% of median family income; other income tiers cap lower, and your actual amount depends on your income, household size and financing gap. A real number requires a real conversation with a lender.
Not preparing documents in advance
Income, asset, and employment paperwork delays push you back in the funding queue.
Source: DHCD Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) page (dhcd.dc.gov). Program details checked October 12, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is $202,000 real or just a headline number?
It is real, but it is the top tier. Under DHCD's July 2026 HPAP table, $202,000 is the gap financing cap for households at or below 50% of median family income (MFI). For households at 51-80% MFI the cap is $161,600, $141,400 or $101,000, and at 81-110% MFI it is $80,800 or $70,000, depending on income and household size. Eligible households can also get up to $4,000 toward closing costs. All of it depends on HPAP having funds, so confirm current funding with DHCD and ask a participating lender for your real number.
Do I have to make monthly payments on HPAP?
For borrowers with incomes below 80 percent of the median family income (MFI), the HPAP loan is deferred until the property is sold, refinanced to take out equity, or is no longer your primary residence, and the loan carries zero percent interest. Moderate-income borrowers between 80 and 110 percent MFI have payments deferred for five years, then a 40-year principal-only repayment period.
What is a Notice of Eligibility and why does the date matter?
The NOE is DHCD's written determination that you qualify and how much you can receive. DHCD assists NOE holders in order of their initial application/NOE date, so an earlier NOE means an earlier place in line when funding is available.
Is HPAP guaranteed to be available?
No. HPAP is funded each fiscal year and claimed first-come, first-served. When the money runs out, it is gone until new funding arrives — which is why starting early matters.
Can HPAP be combined with other programs?
Yes, HPAP can often be stacked with other assistance — for example, DC4ME for eligible DC government employees. Stacking rules vary, so confirm your combination with a licensed lender.
Get ready before you shop
Check which programs may fit you; see the dated status note for current funding.
Check If You May Qualify
Find Programs I May Qualify ForProgram details change frequently — verify current guidelines with a licensed lender; this is not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of eligibility.
Funding status checked: October 12, 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.