Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP)
Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) is a shared-appreciation loan for homebuyers in Arlington, Virginia.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: First-time homebuyer (no ownership of residential real estate in prior 3 years) or displaced homemaker.
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: 660 minimum FICO
- A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies; AHC, Inc. and Virginia Cooperative Extension homebuyer education classes accepted.
- Residency: Property must be located in Arlington County, VA, 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 Arlington County and be the buyer's primary residence. Buyer must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership in prior 3 years). Maximum sales price $500,000. Household income between $86,640 (1-person minimum) and $163,440 (8-person maximum), tracking 80% AMI for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria HMFA. Minimum 660 FICO. 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education required. Property must pass Arlington County housing-quality inspection. Buyer must contribute at least 1% of purchase price from own funds.
- A home in Arlington County
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Purchases above the $500,000 price cap
- Households above 80% of area median income
- Homes outside Arlington 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 Arlington 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.
Where it applies
Arlington County’s homesArlington County’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 24.8% single-familysingle-family
- 8.9% townhousetownhouse
- 4.6% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 61.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$895,000
Arlington County median home value
53%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Arlington County
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies; AHC, Inc. and Virginia Cooperative Extension homebuyer education classes accepted..
Contact the administering agency to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Application through Arlington County CPHD Housing Division; first-come, first-served subject to annual funding., and are subject to availability.
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 Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP)?
Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) is a shared-appreciation loan for homebuyers in Arlington, Virginia. MIPAP is Arlington County's flagship moderate-income first-time-homebuyer program, providing up to 25% of the purchase price as a shared-appreciation second mortgage. Funds are sourced from the Arlington Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) and HUD HOME pass-through dollars. The program is administered by CPHD's Housing Division. Maximum purchase price $500,000. Borrowers repay at sale, refinance, or transfer, returning the original principal plus the county's proportional share of appreciation. Up to 25% of purchase price as a shared-appreciation second mortgage to assist moderate-income first-time homebuyers purchasing in Arlington County. Loan is interest-free with deferred payments. repaid at sale, refinance, or transfer of property along with a proportional share of appreciation equal to county's share of original purchase price. Funding comes from HOME, Federal, Local Government, and AHIF.
How much assistance does it provide?
Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) provides assistance worth 25% of the purchase price, as set by the program. Homebuyer contribution: Minimum 1% of purchase price from borrower's own funds. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) is a shared-appreciation loan and is repaid under the terms set by the administering agency. Repayment is triggered by Shared-appreciation second mortgage repayable upon sale, refinance, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status. Repayment includes original principal plus county's proportional share of property appreciation. 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?
Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) 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) or displaced homemaker. On credit, the program states: 660 minimum FICO. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies; AHC, Inc. and Virginia Cooperative Extension homebuyer education classes accepted. Residency requirement: Property must be located in Arlington County, VA, 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 Arlington County and be the buyer's primary residence. Buyer must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership in prior 3 years). Maximum sales price $500,000. Household income between $86,640 (1-person minimum) and $163,440 (8-person maximum), tracking 80% AMI for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria HMFA. Minimum 660 FICO. 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education required. Property must pass Arlington County housing-quality inspection. Buyer must contribute at least 1% of purchase price from own funds.
What are the income limits?
Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income between $86,640 (1-person minimum threshold) and $163,440 (8-person maximum) at 80% AMI for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria HMFA. 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?
Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) caps the purchase price at $500,000. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, Townhouse, and Condominium. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.
Where does it apply?
Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) serves homebuyers purchasing in Arlington, Virginia.
How do you apply?
Applications for Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Application through Arlington County CPHD Housing Division; 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.
Also for Arlington County homebuyersOther programs open to Arlington County homebuyers
- Arlington County Affordable Dwelling Units (ADU) Homeownership ProgramAssistance available
- Habitat for Humanity Virginia Statewide HOMEownership Down Payment Assistance ProgramUp to $40,000
- Closing Cost Assistance GrantGrant
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 70 programs for Arlington CountyProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.