Down payment and closing cost help, free counseling, savings matches and lower-cost homes for buyers in the City of Richmond, Henrico County and Hanover County, with who runs each program, who it's for and how to start. More areas are coming.
Researched from each program's own website. Every program shows when it was last checked; the oldest check here is from October 24, 2026.
If you have a home or area in mind, the free 2-minute check shows which assistance programs may match it. If your credit or savings need work first, start with one of the counseling programs below.
17 programs shown
One-on-one homebuyer counseling, classes and down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time buyers in Richmond and the surrounding counties, including Hanover through its state-funded program.
City of Richmond · Henrico County · Hanover County · Chesterfield County
Down payment assistance for full-time City of Richmond employees buying a home within city limits.
City of Richmond
Homebuyer counseling and down payment assistance for first-time buyers in Richmond and Henrico, and a local way into the SPARC rate reduction.
City of Richmond · Henrico County
The Virginia Individual Development Accounts program matches what you save toward a down payment, with training and support along the way.
Anywhere in Virginia
Free coaching for low- to moderate-income people on money, jobs, public benefits and digital skills, aimed at building credit, savings and assets.
City of Richmond
One-on-one counseling on budgets, debt, credit, buying a first home, renting and foreclosure prevention, in person in Richmond and Hopewell and virtually elsewhere in Virginia.
Anywhere in Virginia
A deferred loan toward the down payment and closing costs for first-time buyers at or below 80% of area median income, delivered through local providers.
Anywhere in Virginia
A forgivable second mortgage for first-time buyers at or below 60% of area median income, with homeownership education and counseling built in.
Anywhere in Virginia
Homes sold below market because the land trust keeps the land under a long-term ground lease. You build some equity, and the home stays affordable for the next buyer.
City of Richmond · Henrico County · Chesterfield County
The city housing authority's homeownership programs: ComeHome for RRHA residents and voucher holders, and renovated homes sold to buyers below 80% of area median income.
City of Richmond
Henrico's own down payment and closing cost help for low- and moderate-income first-time buyers, as a deferred, forgivable loan, delivered through HOME of VA and SCDHC with homebuyer education.
Henrico County
Newly built Henrico homes sold to first-time buyers at a reduced price, paid for by the county's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, with covenants that keep them affordable and owner-occupied.
Henrico County
Down payment and closing cost help for full-time Henrico County Government, Henrico County Public Schools and constitutional officers' employees buying in Henrico, as an interest-free forgivable loan.
Henrico County
A Habitat home with an affordable mortgage for households whose current housing doesn't meet their needs, in exchange for sweat equity, homebuyer classes and budgeting sessions.
City of Richmond · Henrico County · Chesterfield County
Habitat homes with an affordable mortgage for Hanover and King William households in housing that's overcrowded, unaffordable or substandard, in exchange for 200 hours of sweat equity.
Hanover County
A home loan made by USDA itself to low- and very-low-income buyers in eligible rural areas, with payment assistance that lowers the monthly payment based on income. Parts of Hanover qualify.
Anywhere in Virginia
The state's housing finance agency offers first mortgages, down payment and closing cost grants, a second mortgage, the SPARC rate reduction and a free homebuyer education course, all through approved lenders.
Anywhere in Virginia
Know a program that should be here, or spotted something out of date? Email Martin@ownrva.com.
Program rules, amounts and funding change often, and funds can run out. Confirm everything with the program before you rely on it. Martin Kurylowski and Real Broker, LLC are not affiliated with these programs and are not lenders or administrators of any assistance program. You're free to work with any agent and any lender.