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Southside Outreach Group - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA)

Southside Outreach Group, Inc. - regional DPA provider for VA DHCD · South Boston, 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 Southside Outreach Group - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA)?

Southside Outreach Group - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in South Boston, Virginia, administered by Southside Outreach Group, Inc. - regional DPA provider for VA DHCD.

  • Southside Outreach Group is the Virginia DHCD HOMEownership DPA regional administrator covering Pittsylvania County and the broader Southside region. Income-eligible first-time homebuyers (<=80% AMI) receive a 0% deferred second loan of up to 10% (15% in approved areas) of the sales price plus up to $2,500 closing costs, max $40,000, forgiven after a 5-10 year affordability period.
  • 0% interest, no payments, forgiven after affordability period.
  • Up to $40,000 down payment + closing-cost help.
  • Free HUD-certified housing counseling.
  • Serves Pittsylvania and 14+ Southside localities.
  • 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?

Southside Outreach Group - 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 from personal funds if income 50-80% AMI; $500 if income under 50% AMI (receipts required).
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Southside Outreach Group, Inc. - regional DPA provider for VA DHCD determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Southside Outreach Group - 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?

Southside Outreach Group - 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 credit score of 620 or higher.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-certified Homebuyer Education via Virginia Housing or NeighborWorks-certified course; housing counseling from HUD-certified counselor.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-12): pending review. GAP NOTES: SSORG's page lists a 43% max DTI (stricter than the DHCD guideline ceiling of 45-50%); both cited. Money/term details confirmed against the DHCD HOMEownership DPA Program Guidelines that SSORG administers (DHCD DPA Local Provider Contact List Rev. March 2026 lists Southside Outreach Group for Pittsylvania). 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?

Southside Outreach Group - 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.
  • 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?

Southside Outreach Group - 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?

Southside Outreach Group - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) is a federal program, so it is not limited to Virginia.

  • The program targets specific areas: Pittsylvania and other approved Southside localities may receive up to 15% of sales price where DHCD-designated.

How do you apply?

Applications for Southside Outreach Group - HOMEownership Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) go through Southside Outreach Group, 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 HUD-certified Homebuyer Education via Virginia Housing or NeighborWorks-certified course; housing counseling from HUD-certified counselor..

  2. Contact Southside Outreach Group, Inc. - regional DPA provider for VA DHCD to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served, 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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