City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program

What is City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program?

City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Falls Church, Virginia, administered by City of Falls Church Department of Housing and Human Services (HHS).

• The City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program, established by zoning ordinance in 2002 and administered by Housing and Human Services, provides affordable for-purchase (and for-rent) condominiums and townhomes sold below market value to low- and moderate-income households. For-purchase ADUs carry a 15-30 year control period restricting resale price and appreciation, and owners must occupy the unit as their primary residence. Eligible buyers are certified, placed on a priority-ranked Certified Buyers List, and matched to units as they become available.
• Below-market purchase price.
• Resale price protection during control period.
• Priority for seniors/persons with disabilities and city residents/workers.
• Funding comes from City of Falls Church inclusionary zoning ordinance (established 2002; City Code Chapter 48).

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by City of Falls Church Department of Housing and Human Services (HHS).

• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program sets its income limit as follows: Income limits by AMI percentage tier (2025 HUD AMI, 4-person 100% = $163,900); for-purchase ADUs target low- and moderate-income households per the unit's designated AMI tier.

• 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.

What kind of home can it be used for?

City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program can be used for Condo and Townhouse.

• New construction is eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program names buyers with disabilities among the groups it serves.

• Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program serves buyers purchasing in Falls Church, Virginia.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program go through City of Falls Church Department of Housing and Human Services (HHS), 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 Virginia Housing (VHDA) Homeownership Education Program (certificate of completion required).

2. 2

   Contact City of Falls Church Department of Housing and Human Services (HHS) to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Certified Buyers List (CBL) with 4 priority categories and ranking; annual certificate renewal earns points/tickets, 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.