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Open Door Community (HOPE) - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA)

Open Door Community (Helping Overcome Poverty's Existence, Inc.) - regional DPA provider for VA DHCD · Wytheville, Virginia

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See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$1,000–$40,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 10 years

What is Open Door Community (HOPE) - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA)?

Open Door Community (HOPE) - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Wytheville, Virginia, administered by Open Door Community (Helping Overcome Poverty's Existence, Inc.) - regional DPA provider for VA DHCD.

  • Open Door Community (formerly HOPE) is the Virginia DHCD HOMEownership DPA regional administrator for Wythe, Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth counties and the City of Galax. Income-eligible first-time homebuyers (<=80% AMI) receive a 0% deferred second loan of up to 10% (15% in these high-cost areas) of the sales price plus up to $2,500 closing costs, max $40,000, forgiven after 5-10 years. Open Door is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and JustChoice/Fahe lending affiliate.
  • 0% interest, no payments, forgiven after affordability period.
  • Up to $40,000 in down payment + closing-cost help.
  • Free HUD housing counseling.
  • Can layer with USDA 502 Direct and VIDA savings match.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from HUD HOME funds via Virginia DHCD HOMEownership DPA program.

How much assistance does it provide?

Open Door Community (HOPE) - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) offers between $1,000 and $40,000 in assistance.

  • The program asks buyers to contribute 1% of sales price if income 50-80% AMI; $500 if under 50% AMI.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Open Door Community (Helping Overcome Poverty's Existence, Inc.) - regional DPA provider for VA DHCD determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Open Door Community (HOPE) - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) is forgiven after 10 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or loss of owner-occupancy during affordability period; HOME investment recaptured from net proceeds.
  • The assistance is recorded in Second (silent/deferred deed of trust) position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Open Door Community (HOPE) - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: No primary ownership in most recent 3 years counts as first-time.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Median FICO 620; >=3 open/current trade lines (alternative credit possible).
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Open Door Community is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency; HUD-certified homebuyer education via Virginia Housing/NeighborWorks/HUD-certified course.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-12): pending review. GAP NOTES: Open Door's public homeownership page markets housing counseling and 502 Direct/USDA loans but does not separately detail the DHCD DPA dollar terms; money/eligibility terms confirmed from the governing DHCD HOMEownership DPA Program Guidelines, which Open Door administers per the DHCD DPA Local Provider Contact List (Rev. March 2026). DPA contact Kara Stewart (276) 200-1665; general office (276) 228-6280. 4-person dollar income limits not published on provider page.

The program excludes

  • Households above 80% of area median income

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

What are the income limits?

Open Door Community (HOPE) - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income at or below 80% AMI by HUD household size/locality (Section 8 income definition).
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;s.
  • 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?

Open Door Community (HOPE) - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) caps the purchase price as follows: Home value <=95% of area median sales price (HUD 203(b) limits).

  • Eligible property types include Single Family, Townhouse, Condo, Modular, and Manufactured.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

Open Door Community (HOPE) - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) is a federal program, so it is not limited to Virginia.

  • The program targets specific areas: Wythe, Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth are DHCD-designated high-cost/chronically depressed localities eligible for up to 15% of sales price.

How do you apply?

Applications for Open Door Community (HOPE) - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) go through Open Door Community (Helping Overcome Poverty's Existence, Inc.) - regional DPA provider for VA DHCD, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Open Door Community is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency; HUD-certified homebuyer education via Virginia Housing/NeighborWorks/HUD-certified course..

  2. Contact Open Door Community (Helping Overcome Poverty's Existence, Inc.) - regional DPA provider for VA DHCD to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; reserved after lender pre-approval, 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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