Housing and Community Development

CONTACT INFORMATION: Operating Hours: 8AM-4:30PM M-F
703-246-5000 TTY 711
3700 Pender Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Tom Fleetwood
HCD Director

Department Resources

First-Time Homebuyers Program

First-Time Homebuyer
The First-Time Homebuyers (FTHB) Program has been providing affordable homes primarily through the Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program to low- and moderate-income families since 1978. Homes are offered at sale prices well below the sale price of other homes in the same development community.

Owners are responsible for all home maintenance, home improvements, and compliance with homeowner or condominium fees, rules, and regulations.

Eligibility 
The following requirements apply to applicant homebuyers who wish to participate in the First-Time Homebuyer Program:

  • Must not have owned a home within the last three years. 
  • Households must have at least $25,000 in annual income and not more than the income limits outlined below based on the size of the household.
Family Size 70% AMI
1 $75,800
2 $86,650
3 $97,500
4 $108,300
5 $116,950
6 $125,650
7 $134,300
8 $142,950
  • Households must be able to qualify for a home loan and have a credit score of at least 620 or more.
  • Households must be able to pay a 2 percent down payment, closing costs and have at least one month of savings (see additional financial requirements)
  • Households with individuals ages 55 and older may qualify for special criteria or offerings (please speak with Homeownership staff if you feel you may qualify).

Note: Applicants at or above the 70% AMI tier may also be eligible to purchase a unit through the Workforce Dwelling Unit Homeownership Program.

Current home prices range from $95,000 to low $200,000s. FTHB unit purchasers agree to abide by the following covenant provisions.

COVENANTS
Homebuyer agreements which control the occupancy, refinance and resale price of participating properties during the initial 30-years of ownership. 

Each homeowner must:

  • Live in the home as your primary residence 
  • Contact Fairfax County Homeownership staff before refinancing the home
  • Offer the participating home back to Fairfax County first when selling; and
  • Sell your home at a price determined by the FTHB program during the 30-year control period.

After a homeowner has resided in the home for 30-years, the unit must still be offered to Fairfax County, but the resale price may be set by the owner.  Certain other covenant provisions still apply.  The covenants may be found here.  

Application and Selection Process

This orientation is an introduction to the full inventory of homebuyer programs offered by Fairfax County. It is also the first step in the application process for the First-Time Homebuyers Program. 

Recorded Orientation Session

FTHB Orientation Session Video
This is a recorded presentation. 

After viewing the recorded Orientation:

Questions about the material may be submitted by email to homeownership@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-246-5087, TTY 711.

All applicants must complete a Homebuyer Education Course offered by Virginia Housing. You may see all available classes online at www.virginiahousing.com/homebuyers. There is no cost to attend this class. All attendees will be provided with a certificate of completion which will need to be submitted as part of your application materials.

Applicants will need their lender to complete the pre-approval form (included in the Application Packet). This document will indicate the maximum home purchase price you qualify for under the FTHB Program and will need to be included in your application submission.

Applicants will be required to submit all application materials (as indicated in the Application Packet) to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority in one of three ways:

By Mail: 
Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority
3700 Pender Drive, Suite 100
Fairfax Virginia  22030

 

Deliver to the Housing Drop-Box:
Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority
3700 Pender Drive, Suite 100
Fairfax Virginia  22030

Note: The drop box is located to the right of the main entrance of the building.
Please ensure that all materials are sealed in an envelope with “Attention to Homeownership Division” written on the outside.

 

By Secure Fax: 
703-653-1372

 

You will receive email confirmation within 72 hours of receipt.

When the Department of Housing and Community Development has received your application package, you will be contacted to attend an information session with staff to receive your passport which will allow you to enter drawings for available properties. During this session, staff will:

  • Review the covenants associated with purchasing a home through the program
  • Review the process for searching for available properties
  • Review the process for entering drawings for properties you are interested in
  • Answer any remaining questions you may have

Applicants who follow all of the above application steps and are approved to participate in FTHB Program drawings and may participate in the selection process. The random selection is based on household size and preference points. Applicants with the highest preference points will be considered first. Only applicants with a certificate of eligibility at the time of purchase may buy a First-Time Homebuyer unit.

A maximum of nine (9) preference points are awarded to those who:

  • Live or work in Fairfax County (5 points)
  • Have at least one child under the age of 18 Or a dependent with disabilities (1 point)
  • Participate in the program each year (Maximum of 3 points)

*If a home includes accessible features, priority is given to those who have a disability requiring the home’s features.

Homes for Sale

Only applicants with a valid Passport to Homeownership may enter the following unit drawings.  No new applications nor changes to existing Passports will be accepted once the listing is posted.  To ensure you qualify for the most drawings possible, please make sure your lender pre-approves you for the maximum loan amount you can afford.  Passports are issued following the completion of Orientation and Information sessions, completed Lender Pre-Approval letter and completed and signed FTHB Program initial application. Units are listed as they become available from developers or current FTHB Program owners sell their home.  Please check back on a weekly basis for new listings.  Listings are open for a two-week period and you may not enter a drawing once the listing date expires.

55+ Active Adult Community - Apply by December 17, 2024

$226,340

Crest of Alexandria
6107 Fairview Farm Drive, Unit 310, Alexandria, VA 22315

Condominium
1 to 4 people
2 Bedroom/ 2 Bathrooms

Full Listing

55+ Active Adult Community - IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE

$175,664

Alexandria, VA 

Condominium  
1 Bedrooms/1 Bathroom

Full Listing

Ellipse at Westfields - DRAWING CLOSED

$271,914

Chantilly, VA  
 

2-over-2, Townhouse style condo - Interior unit
1 to 7 people
3 Bedroom/ 2.5 Bathrooms

Full Listing

55+ Active Adult Community - IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE

$219,946

Crest of Alexandria
6107 Fairview Farm Drive, Unit 201, Alexandria, VA 22315

Condominium
1 to 4 people
2 Bedroom/ 1 Bathrooms

Full Listing

Tysons Ridge - UNDER CONTRACT

$254,725

Falls Church, VA 

Townhouse
1 to 5 people
3 Bedroom/ 2 full Bathrooms

Full Listing
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