If you're a first-time buyer in Hampton Roads, you may be sitting closer to homeownership than you think. Several cities in the region offer up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance — and these Hampton Roads first-time buyer programs are genuinely underused because most people simply don't know they exist.
Hampton Roads First-Time Buyer Programs: What's Available by City
Here's a quick breakdown of what's on the table right now across the region:
• Newport News — Up to $25,000 in closing cost and/or down payment assistance through the City of Newport News First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program
• Chesapeake — Up to $25,000 through Call Chesapeake HOME
• Isle of Wight County — Up to $25,000 through Make Isle of Wight HOME
• Portsmouth — Up to $20,000 through Come HOME to Portsmouth
• Suffolk — Up to $14,500 through Make Suffolk HOME
• James City County, York County, Gloucester County, Poquoson, and Williamsburg — Up to $10,000 through You're HOME Hampton Roads
These are city- and county-specific programs, which means the home you purchase has to be located in that jurisdiction. You can't use the Newport News program to buy in Chesapeake, and vice versa. Where you buy determines which program you can access.
How These Programs Generally Work
Most of these Hampton Roads first-time buyer programs are structured as deferred loans or forgivable loans — meaning you don't make monthly payments on the assistance, and in many cases the balance is forgiven after you live in the home for a set number of years. Details vary by city, so confirming terms directly with the administering agency matters.
Common eligibility requirements across programs typically include:
• First-time homebuyer status (generally defined as not owning a home in the past 3 years)
• Income limits based on household size and area median income
• Purchase of a primary residence within the program's jurisdiction
• Completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course
• Use of a participating lender
If you're using a VA loan — which is common here given the concentration of military personnel near Langley, Fort Eustis, and Naval Station Norfolk — these programs can sometimes be layered on top of your VA financing to cover remaining closing costs. That's worth exploring with a lender who knows both VA loans and local assistance programs.
What This Means For You
• $25,000 is a meaningful number. In many Hampton Roads price ranges, that covers the full down payment on a conventionally financed home, or wipes out closing costs entirely.
• These programs are income-limited, but the limits are often higher than buyers expect — worth checking even if you think you earn too much.
• The home has to be your primary residence, so these programs are for buyers who plan to live in the home, not investors.
• Program funding can be limited or pause when allocations run out — if you're considering one of these cities, it's worth getting current availability confirmed early in your search.
If you want to dig deeper into what's available in each area, the Legacy Home Search blog has more resources on buying in Hampton Roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one of these programs with a VA loan?
In many cases, yes. VA loans allow certain assistance programs to cover closing costs, and some Hampton Roads cities specifically accommodate VA buyers. You'll want to confirm with a lender familiar with both VA guidelines and the specific local program you're pursuing.
Do I have to be a Virginia resident to qualify for Hampton Roads first-time buyer programs?
Most programs require that the purchased home will be your primary residence in the program's city or county — but you don't necessarily have to already live there. Buyers relocating to the area, including military families on PCS orders, may still qualify based on where they intend to live.
What happens to the assistance if I sell the home early?
Most of these programs use a deferred or forgivable loan structure with a required occupancy period — commonly 5 to 15 years. If you sell or move before that period ends, you may be required to repay a prorated portion of the assistance. The exact terms vary by city, so read the program documents carefully before closing.