Homeownership Opportunities
DHCD provides a number of opportunities low-to-moderate income residents who seek to become first-time homeowners in the District. We also can assist with qualified existing homeowners who need home repairs. For information on any of these programs, Ask the Director or call (202) 442-7200.
Employer Assisted Housing Program (EAHP)
The Employer Assisted Housing Program (EAHP) provides assistance to employees of the District of Columbia Government who are first-time homebuyers in the District. Employees of District government agencies may be eligible for matching down payment funds up to $1,500; a deferred loan of up to $10,000.
Handicapped Access Improvements Program
The Handicapped Accessibility Improvement Program (HAIP) provides a grant of up to $30,000 for improvements needed to remove physical barriers within a home for persons with mobility or other physical impairments. Additional funding may be available under the Single Family Rehab program.
Home Purchase Assistance Program
The Home Purchase Assistance program provides interest-free and low-interest loans to qualified residents, which enables them to purchase houses, condominiums, or cooperative apartments. Residents who are accepted into the three-tiered program are eligible for loans to meet down payment and closing cost requirements. The loan amounts are based on a combination of factors, including income, household size, and the amount of assets that each applicant must commit toward a property’s purchase price. Loans provided are subordinate to private first trust mortgages.
Homestead Housing Preservation Program
The Homestead Housing Preservation program enables first-time homebuyers to purchase tax delinquent real properties and Department of Housing and Community Development foreclosures for as little as $250 per unit. In exchange, the homebuyer must complete a homeownership training course, rehabilitate the property, reside in the property for a minimum of five years, and return it to the real property tax rolls. Low and moderate-income participants receive a $10,000 deferred mortgage to assist them with gap financing.
Lead Safe Washington
TLead Safe Washington (LSW) provides grants of up to $17,500 per housing unit to eligible homeowners and investor-owners of pre-1978 housing with deteriorated lead-based paint to make those units lead safe. The LSW also assists with unit testing to determine whether there is deteriorated lead-based paint in the home. To be eligible, the homeowner or tenant must be lower-income. Properties must be occupied by a child under 6 years of age or, in the case of rental property, available to families with children under 6 years of age. Units occupied by pregnant women also may be eligible for assistance.
LSW is made available by funding provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.
Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program
The Department's Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program is designed to help households finance home repairs that will address DC housing code violations. Funding may be used for activities that include repairing walls and floors; replacing windows; and repairing plumbing, electrical, and heating systems. Up to $75,000 in loan financing is available for each project. The program also offers a separate grant of up to $15,000 for roof replacement.
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