City of Falls Church Affordable Homeownership Program (CFCAHP)

At a glance

Amount

City-owned condos, townhomes, and houses sold below market to first-time buyers between 50% and 120% of area median income

Type of help

Other help

Where

City of Falls Church

Run by

City of Falls Church Housing and Human Services, with The NHP Foundation

First-time buyer

First-time buyers only

Income limit

Yes, see below

Price limit

Yes, see below

Homebuyer education

Required

How the other help works

A special purchase path, discount, or loan type that lowers what you need at closing.

• Monthly payment: Yes

Who qualifies

• First-time buyers only. You must not have owned residential property or held an ownership interest for the last 3 years, and you cannot own any residential property now. Every household member must qualify as first-time.
• Income. Household income between 50% and 120% of HUD area median income for the City of Falls Church. Using the city's 2026 table: 50% is $58,135 for 1 person, $66,440 for 2, $74,745 for 3, $83,050 for 4, $89,694 for 5; 120% is $139,524 for 1, $159,456 for 2, $179,388 for 3, $199,320 for 4, $215,266 for 5. Each listed home states the income band it is priced for.
• Price. Prices are set per home by the city and NHP Foundation. Current and recent listings include a Falls Chase condo and a detached house on Brice Street; ask for the price sheet on each.
• Property types: Condo, Townhouse, Single-family detached. Must be your primary residence.
• The home must be your primary residence and you may not own other residential property.
• Your lender must be Virginia Housing or a Virginia Housing approved lender.
• Priority one goes to seniors and people with disabilities who live in or work for the City of Falls Church, and to people experiencing homelessness. Priority two is other Falls Church residents and workers. Priority three is everyone else.
• The city's Affordable Dwelling Unit program adds a $40,000 cap on liquid assets and requires Virginia Housing's homeownership education. Expect similar screening here.
• Resale, rental, and material alterations are governed by the recorded Declaration of Affordability Covenants for each home.

How to apply

1. 1Contact the city's Housing Specialist for an initial eligibility screening, or complete the pre-screening form on the program website.
2. 2Complete Virginia Housing's free homebuyer education class.
3. 3Get pre-approved with Virginia Housing or a Virginia Housing approved lender. Ask about Virginia Housing's DPA Grant and Closing Cost Assistance Grant at the same time.
4. 4Watch the program website for available homes. Submit your application for a listed home and the city ranks applicants by priority.
5. 5Sign a contract with the affordability covenants attached, close with your lender, and record the covenants with the deed.

Watch out for

• Inventory is a handful of homes at a time. As of 2026-09-23 the program listed two available properties, and the city's separate ADU program had no for-sale units.
• The covenants limit your resale price and how you can alter the home. Read them before you write an offer.
• Income must fall inside the band for the specific home. A household under 50% of AMI or over 120% does not qualify.
• The program links to Virginia Housing grants for down payment help but does not fund a down payment itself. Bring your own funds or layer the Virginia Housing DPA Grant.

Straight answers

Sources

• City of Falls Church Affordable Homeownership Program page (read Sep 23, 2026)
• City of Falls Church Affordable Homeownership Program website (eligibility, listings, priorities) (read Sep 23, 2026)
• City of Falls Church Affordable Homeownership Program eligibility page (read Sep 23, 2026)
• City of Falls Church Affordable Dwelling Unit Program page (2026 income limits table, ADU rules) (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.