Down payment assistance income limits in District of Columbia
24 down payment assistance programs in District of Columbia publish an income limit, a purchase price cap, or both.
Every figure below is the limit the administering agency publishes. Limits are revised as area incomes and local prices move, so confirm current figures with the agency before relying on them.
Area median income by county
HUD's published four-person area median income for each District of Columbia county. A program that sets its limit at a percentage of area median income applies that percentage to the figure for the county where the home is, adjusted for household size.
| County | Published | 4-person median |
|---|---|---|
| District Of Columbia | 2026 | $166,100 |
Published limits by program
| Program | Income limit | Price cap |
|---|---|---|
| Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program - For-Sale UnitsWashington | 80% of area median incomeIncome limits are project-specific, set in each unit's originating documents; where not in conflict, DHCD applies IZ income limits (commonly 50%-80% MFI). Exact dollar limits vary by project and household size. | — |
| Bank of America America's Home GrantWashington | See programMaximum income limits apply and vary by market; specific DC dollar limits were not published on the official page. | — |
| Bank of America Down Payment Grant ProgramWashington | See programMaximum income limits apply and vary by market/MSA; specific DC dollar limits were not published on the official affordable-housing page. | — |
| Chase Homebuyer GrantWashington | See programNo income limit on the grant itself; in eligible tracts, Chase also removes the income limit on its companion DreaMaker (3% down) mortgage. | — |
| DC Open DoorsWashington | 170% of area median incomeBorrower income up to 170% AMI; max income $275,400. No max sales price; max first trust loan $1,249,125. | — |
| DC4MEWashington | 170% of area median incomeMax household income 170% AMI ($275,400). At least one borrower must be a current full-time DC Government employee. | — |
| Douglass Community Land Trust - Pay It Forward Single Family HomeownershipWashington | 80% of area median incomeHousehold income must not exceed 80% of Area Median Income based on family size; some projects have lower maximum incomes. Income limits referenced from DC AMI tables. | — |
| Employer-Assisted Housing Program (EAHP)Washington | See programNo income cap for EAHP applicants. | — |
| FHLBank Atlanta Community Partners Product | 80% of area median incomePer FHLBank Atlanta Homeownership Set-aside rules, income generally must be at or below the greater of 80% of county AMI or the state median family income (HUD, adjusted for family size). Confirm current-cycle limit with member lender. | — |
| FHLBank Atlanta First-time Homebuyer Product (FHP) | 80% of area median incomeIncome must be at or below the greater of 80% of the county area median income or the state median family income, as published annually by HUD and adjusted for family size. | — |
| Habitat for Humanity DC-NOVA Homeownership ProgramWashington | 80% of area median incomeTotal household income must fall between 30% and 80% of Median Family Income (MFI). Per Habitat's 2025 requirements (100% MFI = $154,700): 4-person range is $49,200 (min) to $131,120 (max, ~80% MFI). 8-person max is $173,078. | — |
| HIP Subordinate Deed of TrustWashington | 170% of area median incomeMaximum borrower income may not exceed 170% of Area Median Income (AMI), with a maximum income of $275,400. Income is based on borrower income only. | — |
| Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP)Washington | 110% of area median incomeVery low- to moderate-income up to 110% MFI, scaled by household size/tier (eff. for loans closed after 6/1/2025). | — |
| HomeAdvantage DCWashington | See programHousehold income must fall within Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) income limits, based on household size and occupancy; income counts all occupants 18 and older. | $1.3M |
| Homes by CFE Down Payment Assistance ProgramWashington | 120% of area median incomeIncome must fall below 120% Median Family Income (MFI) for household size, based on DC DHCD Inclusionary Zoning income limits (updated annually). Co-borrower income included. Borrowers at/below 100% MFI qualify for additional $10,000 closing cost assistance. | $584,400 |
| Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Affordable Housing Program - For-Sale UnitsWashington | 80% of area median incomeFor-sale IZ units generally serve households at 50%, 60%, or 80% of MFI; exact maximum income varies by household size and unit-designated MFI band per the annual IZ Maximum Income, Rent and Purchase Price Schedule. Minimum income thresholds apply. | — |
| Lower Income Homeownership Exemption Program (DC Tax Abatement)Washington | $128,160Total household gross income must fall under the Qualifying Income Table by household size. Standard limits eff. Oct 1, 2025: 1=$89,760; 2=$102,540; 3=$115,380; 4=$128,160; 5=$138,420; 6=$148,680; 7=$158,940; 8=$169,200. Higher limits apply in Economic Development Zones. | $576,000 |
| NACA Best in America MortgageWashington | See programNo absolute income limit; membership is classified Priority or Non-Priority based on the borrower's income relative to the MSA median income, which affects the rate and eligible geographic area. | — |
| Negotiated Employee Affordable Home Purchase Program (NEAHP)Washington | See programAmount scales with years of service in the eligible collective bargaining unit; not income-capped on the page. | — |
| Progressive UpPayment Down Payment Assistance ProgramWashington | See programHousehold annual income must be below 500% of the federal poverty guidelines (2026 HHS guidelines); a mortgage pre-approval letter dated within the last six months is required. | — |
| Reduced Recordation Tax Rate for First-Time Homebuyers (DC)Washington | $278,460Combined federal AGI of all grantees and household residents must not exceed the Qualifying Household Income table by household size. FY2025 (eff. Oct 1, 2024): 1=$194,940; 2=$222,840; 3=$250,740; 4=$278,460; 5=$300,780; 6=$323,100; 7=$345,420; 8=$367,740. FY2026 income ceilings increased per OTR (exact figures pending). | $753,000 |
| Truist Community Homeownership Incentive Program (CHIP)Washington | See programMaximum income limit 'may apply' for CHIP; specific DC dollar limits were not published on the official page. | — |
| Wells Fargo Dream. Plan. Home. Closing Cost CreditWashington | See programIncome limits may apply based on the property location. (The related Dream. Plan. Home. mortgage is for incomes at or below 80% AMI, but the closing cost credit's limits are area-dependent and confirmed at application.) | — |
| Wells Fargo Homebuyer Access GrantWashington | 120% of area median incomeHomebuyer Access grants are available to homebuyers who earn a combined 120% or less of the area median income in the county where the subject property is located. Specific DC MSA dollar limits are determined at application. | — |
Questions, answered
What are the income limits for down payment assistance in District of Columbia?
24 down payment assistance programs in District of Columbia publish an income limit, a purchase price cap, or both. 12 express the limit as a percentage of the area median income for the county where the home is, and 7 publish a flat dollar figure instead.
Why does the same program have different income limits in different counties?
Because most limits are set as a percentage of area median income, which HUD publishes per county and revises annually. A program with one published percentage therefore admits a different dollar figure in each county, and the figure is further adjusted for household size.
Is a published limit the same as being approved?
No. An income limit is one eligibility rule among several — credit requirements, purchase price caps, occupancy rules and homebuyer education all apply separately, and the first-mortgage lender underwrites on its own terms. Always confirm current figures with the administering agency.
Is Hey Prescott a lender?
No. Hey Prescott is an educational directory of down payment assistance programs. We list programs and link to official sources; we do not make loans or give individualized lending advice.
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