DC's HPAP Can Lend Up To $202,000 For Your First Home, When Funds Are Available
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.
HPAP is one of the largest down payment assistance programs in the country. The $202,000 cap is for households at or below 50% of median family income; other income tiers cap lower. Zero percent interest and no monthly payments for most buyers. When HPAP is funded, money goes out first-come, first-served.
DC first-time buyer programs & credentials
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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 (the cap for households at or below 50% of median family income; higher incomes get lower caps) plus up to $4,000 toward closing costs, at zero interest, with repayment deferred entirely for lower-income buyers. All of it depends on HPAP having funds.
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
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Kind Words
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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.