DC4ME Reduced-Rate Mortgage for District Government Employees (DCHFA)

At a glance

Amount

Reduced-rate 30-year fixed first mortgage, with optional 3% down payment assistance as a 0% deferred loan

Type of help

Reduced-rate mortgage

Where

Washington, DC

Run by

District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA)

First-time buyer

Repeat buyers welcome

Income limit

Yes, see below

Price limit

Yes, see below

Minimum credit score

640

Homebuyer education

Required

How the reduced-rate mortgage works

A first mortgage at a below-market rate, sometimes bundled with assistance.

• Interest: Reduced first mortgage rate set by DCHFA; assistance loan at 0%
• Monthly payment: None
• When you would repay: The assistance loan is due at the earliest of 30 years from closing, sale or transfer, the home no longer being your principal residence, or refinancing the first mortgage.

Who qualifies

• Repeat buyers welcome. DCHFA does not list a first-time buyer requirement for DC4ME.
• Income. Income up to $275,400 (170% of area median income). DCHFA's lender manual states DC4ME uses the qualifying income on the loan application, one citywide limit regardless of household size (checked 2026-09-23).
• Price. No published sales price cap. The first mortgage is capped at $1,249,125 (checked 2026-09-23).
• Only for: government employees.
• Participating employers: District of Columbia government, DC public charter schools, DC independent agencies and instrumentalities.
• Property types: Single-family, Townhouse, Condo. Must be your primary residence.
• At least one borrower must be a current full-time District government employee. That includes District instrumentalities, independent agencies, DC public charter schools, and organizations under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia. DCHFA posts the eligible employer list.
• No minimum tenure, but you must show proof of your employment start date. Offer letters are not accepted.
• Maximum debt-to-income ratio 50%.
• At least one borrower must complete a homebuyer education class and give DCHFA the certificate.
• The home must be in the District of Columbia and be your primary residence.

How to apply

1. 1Confirm your agency is on DCHFA's DC4ME eligible employer list, and gather proof of your employment start date.
2. 2Choose a lender from DCHFA's participating lender list and ask for DC4ME. Decide with the lender whether you want the rate alone or the rate with 3% assistance.
3. 3Complete a homebuyer education class. At least one borrower must provide the certificate to DCHFA.
4. 4Get pre-approved, find a home in DC, and go under contract. Your lender reserves the DC4ME rate and, if used, the assistance loan in DCHFA's system.
5. 5If you also qualify for EAHP or HPAP, tell your lender and your CBO up front so all the liens are coordinated for closing.

Watch out for

• The rate with assistance is usually higher than the rate without. Ask the lender to price both and compare total cost over the years you expect to stay.
• The 3% assistance is a deferred loan, not a grant, and DCHFA does not subordinate it on a refinance.
• Income is one citywide cap of $275,400 based on the income used to qualify. It does not rise with household size.
• DC4ME stacks with EAHP and HPAP, which are separate DHCD programs with their own CBO application route. Start those early, since they take longer than the mortgage.
• Program terms are subject to change without notice. DCHFA publishes current rates on its site.

Straight answers

Sources

• DCHFA, DC4ME program page (read Sep 23, 2026)
• DCHFA, DC4ME lender page (read Sep 23, 2026)
• DCHFA, DC Open Doors Lender Manual (income rule for DC Open Doors and DC4ME, DPAL terms, PDF) (read Sep 23, 2026)
• DCHFA, Loan Disclosure for Down Payment Assistance (DPAL terms, PDF) (read Sep 23, 2026)
• DCHFA, Find a Lender (read Sep 23, 2026)

Program details are summarized from public sources and change without notice. Funding badges reflect the last time we checked, not a guarantee of availability. This is buyer education from a real estate agent, not a loan pre-approval or a commitment to lend. Eligibility is decided by each program administrator and your lender. Equal Housing Opportunity.