Popular Community Heroes Grant Getting Cut In Half | Virginia Down Payment Assistance

 

 

The demand for down payment assistance continues to be at an all time high.  Not surprising, especially in Northern Virginia where in 2025, the median sales price for a home was $700,000.

In December, Virginia Housing announced the $10,000 Community Heroes Grant.  A down payment assistance opportunity for:

  • Educators 
  • Firefighters
  • Law Enforement Officers
  • Healthcare workers
  • Military (active duty and veterans)
  • Retirees from these professions

The good thing about a grant is that it's straight-up cash.  Not a loan, so there's no repayment.  And, it's not a second mortgage, meaning you're not financing additional money.

But at 6pm on Friday the 13th, this $10,000 grant will be slashed in half, going down to $5,000.  This is still a significant amount of assistance that an be layered on top of other programs, if you're eligible. 

This is a perfect example of how waiting can cost you.  This grant isn't totally getting eliminated, so it will still be available, at least for now.