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HOME Homeownership Program

HOME Homeownership Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Richmond, Virginia.

Last verified

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: First-time homebuyer (no ownership of residential real estate in prior 3 years).
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: 620 minimum FICO
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HOME of Virginia (HUD-certified housing counseling agency); 8-hour homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling provided in-house.
  • Residency: Property must be located within the Richmond region (City of Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover counties primarily) and be the buyer's primary residence.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen permitted by HUD HOME rules
  • Property must be located in the Richmond region (City of Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover counties primarily) and be the buyer's primary residence. Buyer must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership in prior 3 years). Household income between $63,600 (1-person minimum) and $119,900 (8-person maximum) tracking 80% AMI for the Richmond MSA. Minimum 620 FICO. Minimum borrower contribution $1,000. 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education required (provided in-house by HOME of VA). Pre-purchase one-on-one counseling required.
  • A home in Richmond City County

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Richmond City County

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

80% of Richmond City County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$113,500
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Richmond City County’s homes

  • 44.5% single-family
  • 7.7% townhouse
  • 12% 2–4 units
  • 35.2% 5+ units
  • 0.6% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$353,000

Richmond City County median home value

70.9%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Richmond City County

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HOME of Virginia (HUD-certified housing counseling agency); 8-hour homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling provided in-house..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Application through HOME of Virginia; counseling appointments scheduled directly with HOME of VA staff. First-come, first-served subject to annual funding., and are subject to availability.

  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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is HOME Homeownership Program?

HOME Homeownership Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Richmond, Virginia. HOME of Virginia's HOME Homeownership Program is a regional first-time-homebuyer program providing up to $20,000 as a 0% interest deferred-payment second mortgage. HOME of VA is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency and a Virginia statewide leader in fair-housing services. Funds are sourced from HUD HOME pass-through dollars and from private and philanthropic sources. Includes wraparound services - homebuyer education, individual counseling, fair-housing assistance, and post-purchase support. Up to $20,000 in down-payment and closing-cost assistance for first-time homebuyers purchasing in the Richmond region. Provided as a 0% interest deferred-payment second mortgage. No monthly payments. repaid upon sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status. Includes free fair-housing counseling and homebuyer-education services. Funding comes from HOME, Federal, Private, and Philanthropic.

Do you have to pay it back?

HOME Homeownership Program 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 0% second-mortgage repayable in full upon sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status. The assistance is recorded in 2 position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

HOME Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: First-time homebuyer (no ownership of residential real estate in prior 3 years). On credit, the program states: 620 minimum FICO. A homebuyer education course is required, through HOME of Virginia (HUD-certified housing counseling agency); 8-hour homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling provided in-house. Residency requirement: Property must be located within the Richmond region (City of Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover counties primarily) and be the buyer's primary residence. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen permitted by HUD HOME rules. Property must be located in the Richmond region (City of Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover counties primarily) and be the buyer's primary residence. Buyer must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership in prior 3 years). Household income between $63,600 (1-person minimum) and $119,900 (8-person maximum) tracking 80% AMI for the Richmond MSA. Minimum 620 FICO. Minimum borrower contribution $1,000. 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education required (provided in-house by HOME of VA). Pre-purchase one-on-one counseling required.

What are the income limits?

HOME Homeownership Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income between $63,600 (1-person minimum threshold) and $119,900 (8-person maximum) at 80% AMI for Richmond MSA. Updated annually. 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?

HOME Homeownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: Tracks HUD HOME maximum sales price for Richmond MSA. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, Townhouse, and Condominium. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

HOME Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Richmond, Virginia.

How do you apply?

Applications for HOME Homeownership Program go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Application through HOME of Virginia; counseling appointments scheduled directly with HOME of VA staff. First-come, first-served subject to annual funding. 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.

Program terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.