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.

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.

Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. A homebuyer education course is required, through Piedmont Housing Alliance 'DPA with PHA' class and counseling; Virginia Housing homebuyer education. Residency requirement: Home must be purchased in Albemarle County. Verified on Albemarle County Office of Housing and Piedmont Housing Alliance pages plus the 2026 ACHAP AMI limits PDF. Core structure (0%, deferred, first-time, Albemarle County, 80% AMI) is primary-sourced.

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.

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

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