Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP)

What is Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP)?

Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Charlottesville, Virginia, administered by Albemarle County Office of Housing; administered by Piedmont Housing Alliance.

• The Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP) provides zero-interest, deferred-payment down payment assistance loans to eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing in Albemarle County. The program is administered by Piedmont Housing Alliance, which runs a broader down payment loan program for households at/below 80% AMI and layers local/state funding (including SPARC's 1% rate reduction). Applicants complete PHA's homebuyer counseling and the 'DPA with PHA' class.
• Zero-interest deferred-payment DPA loan.
• No monthly payments (deferred).
• First-time buyers up to 80% AMI.
• Combinable with SPARC and other PHA funds.
• Counseling and education provided.
• Funding comes from Local and state-administered down payment funds administered by Piedmont Housing Alliance.

Do you have to pay it back?

Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP) is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

• Repayment is triggered by Deferred-payment loan repayable on sale/transfer or per program terms (deferred until a triggering event).
• The assistance is recorded in Subordinate (second) position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP) is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Household income at/below 80% AMI. ACHAP-specific 2026 limits (Charlottesville HUD area) by size: 1=$59,950; 2=$68,500; 3=$77,050; 4=$85,600; 5=$92,450; 6=$99,300; 7=$106,150; 8=$113,000.
• The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
• The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
• Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

Where does it apply?

Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP) serves buyers purchasing in Charlottesville, Virginia.

How do you apply?

Applications for Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP) go through Albemarle County Office of Housing; administered by Piedmont Housing Alliance, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through Piedmont Housing Alliance 'DPA with PHA' class and counseling; Virginia Housing homebuyer education.

2. 2

   Contact Albemarle County Office of Housing; administered by Piedmont Housing Alliance to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

3. 3

   Work with a lender who handles the program

   Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.