: Minimum credit score of 630 and completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The Flexible Alternative: DC Open Doors
: Typically requires a minimum credit score of 640. For Public Servants: EAHP and DC4ME
: Offers a Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) covering up to 3% or 3.5% of the purchase price. Key Advantage : Open to both first-time and repeat buyers . dc home buying programs
: Generous limits—up to $275,400 as of 2026—calculated only on the borrower’s income, not the entire household.
Washington, D.C. offers some of the most robust homebuyer assistance programs in the country, designed to make the District’s competitive market more accessible. Whether you are a first-time buyer, a local government employee, or just looking to reduce your closing costs, there is likely a program for you. : Minimum credit score of 630 and completion
: No monthly payments are required. The balance is due only when the home is sold, refinanced for equity, or ceases to be a primary residence.
For those who exceed HPAP income limits or need a faster process, DC Open Doors is a highly accessible option through the D.C. Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) . Key Advantage : Open to both first-time and repeat buyers
: Must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership in 3 years), a D.C. resident (priority given), and meet income limits based on household size.