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Piedmont Housing Alliance Down Payment Loan Program

Piedmont Housing Alliance Down Payment Loan Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Charlottesville, Virginia, administered by Piedmont Housing Alliance (CDFI).

Last verified Source: Piedmont Housing Alliance (CDFI)

The program asks for

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Piedmont Housing Alliance 'DPA with PHA' class and housing counseling/financial coaching
  • Residency: Serves the City of Charlottesville and counties of Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa, and Nelson
  • Eligibility and loan terms vary by funding source and are determined individually through a housing counseling session. Process: complete the online Information Form, attend client orientation, then complete the intake form. SPARC (a Virginia Housing rate-reduction program) is administered alongside but is a separate program.
  • A home in Charlottesville City County

It doesn’t cover

  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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.

$139,800
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Charlottesville City County’s homes

  • 47% single-family
  • 8.8% townhouse
  • 14.7% 2–4 units
  • 29% 5+ units
  • 0.6% mobile & other

$486,700

Charlottesville City County median home value

64.1%

built before 1980

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

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Piedmont Housing Alliance 'DPA with PHA' class and housing counseling/financial coaching.

  2. Contact Piedmont Housing Alliance (CDFI) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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 Piedmont Housing Alliance Down Payment Loan Program?

Piedmont Housing Alliance Down Payment Loan Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Charlottesville, Virginia, administered by Piedmont Housing Alliance (CDFI). Piedmont Housing Alliance, a US Treasury-certified CDFI, administers funds loaned to homebuyers for down payment and closing costs. Most funds come from outside sources, each with its own eligibility and terms. Buyers qualify if household income is below 80% AMI; eligibility and funding source are determined through a housing counseling session after the 'DPA with PHA' class and intake. PHA has helped more than 800 families and deployed more than $7 million in down payment assistance. Down payment and closing cost loan assistance from multiple funding pools. Housing counseling and financial coaching. DPA with PHA education class. Combinable with SPARC 1% rate reduction. CDFI-administered. Funding comes from Multiple outside funding sources administered by Piedmont Housing Alliance (each with its own eligibility and terms).

Do you have to pay it back?

Piedmont Housing Alliance Down Payment Loan Program is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Piedmont Housing Alliance Down Payment Loan Program is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. A homebuyer education course is required, through Piedmont Housing Alliance 'DPA with PHA' class and housing counseling/financial coaching. Residency requirement: Serves the City of Charlottesville and counties of Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa, and Nelson. Eligibility and loan terms vary by funding source and are determined individually through a housing counseling session. Process: complete the online Information Form, attend client orientation, then complete the intake form. SPARC (a Virginia Housing rate-reduction program) is administered alongside but is a separate program.

What are the income limits?

Piedmont Housing Alliance Down Payment Loan Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income below 80% of Area Median Income. Income limits updated each spring; 2026 AMI charts published by Piedmont Housing Alliance. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’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.

Where does it apply?

Piedmont Housing Alliance Down Payment Loan Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Charlottesville, Virginia.

How do you apply?

Applications for Piedmont Housing Alliance Down Payment Loan Program go through Piedmont Housing Alliance (CDFI), 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.

Program terms are set by Piedmont Housing Alliance (CDFI) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.