Homeowner Resources

The Office of Housing provides a range of services to homeowners in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Energy, local nonprofits, and other organizations.
Page updated on November 20, 2023 at 5:08 PM

COVID-19 Foreclosure Prevention Assistance

NEW! The State of Virginia's Mortgage Relief Program stopped accepting new applications for mortgage relief in response to financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on October 1, 2023. Learn about available housing counseling services here.

Stay Informed!

To receive email alerts regarding upcoming trainings, workshops, and other homeowner resources, including our Home Rehabilitation Loan Program, please sign up for the City’s eNews notices (select "Affordable Housing") or contact us at 703.746.4990.

Condominium and Community Association Training

The City of Alexandria and Alexandria-based law firm MercerTrigiani are sponsoring four educational sessions related to condominium and community associations during FY2024. The goals for these classes include educating community members about contracts and contracting for common interest communities; providing guidance on how to run association membership meetings; explaining the role of the Common Interest Ombudsman in managing community conflicts; and helping communities understand the legal requirements related to disability and accessibility. All workshops are offered at no cost to participants, but registration is required. For more information, download the FY24 Sessions Flyer  or contact Kim Cadena/703.746.3104.

2023-2024 Sessions

  • Saturday, September 30, 2023; 9:30-11:30 a.m.
    Topic: Contracts and Contracting Recording;  Presentation  

•    Contract Considerations
•    Contract Negotiation Tips
•    Contracting with Vendors
•    Management Contract Considerations
•    Summary of Standard Provisions - Service Agreements
•    Waste Disposal Agreements

•   Annual Meeting Checklist
•   Meeting Minutes Checklist
•   Virtual Annual Meetings (Virginia Condominium Unit Owners Association)
•   Virtual Annual Meetings (Virginia Property Owners Association)
•   Virtual Board Meetings
•   Virtual Meetings in Virginia

  • Saturday, February 10, 2024; 9:30-11:30 a.m.
    Topic: Managing Common Interest Community Conflicts with Guest Speaker, Heather Gillespie, Virginia Common Interest Ombudsman
  • Saturday, April 6, 2024; 9:30-11:30 a.m.
    Topic: Accessibility Requirements for Common Interest Communities

 

2022-2023 Sessions

Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled

There are several City programs that provide tax relief for the elderly and disabled.

Home Rehabilitation Loan Program

This program provides no-interest, deferred payment loans for the design and construction of home improvements to help low- and moderate-income City residents remain in their homes. The program serves owner occupants with combined incomes below 80% of the area median income by family size (which ranged from $79,760 for a household of one to $132,080 for a household of six in 2022). Eligible households may receive loans of up to $135,000 for construction costs, plus additional funds for related costs to improve the safety, accessibility, and quality of their homes. Repayment of the loans is deferred for 99 years or until the property is sold or the owner(s) move, whichever comes first. To learn more, download the HRLP brochure , or contact Arthur Thomas/703.746.3091. 

Energy Efficiency, Weatherization, and Utility Assistance

Home Rehabilitation Energy Efficiency Loan Program

This program offers eligible low- and moderate-income Alexandrians energy assessments to identify key issues and solutions, and loan funding to complete energy efficiency improvements such as air sealing, insulation, energy efficient appliances as well as heating and cooling systems. The program serves owner occupants with combined incomes below 80% of the area median income by family size (which ranged from $65,680 for a household of one to $101,280 for a household of five in 2018). Eligible households may receive no interest loans for energy efficiency improvements for their homes. Repayment of the loans is deferred for 99 years or until the property is sold or the owner(s) move, whichever comes first.To learn more, contact Arthur Thomas at 703.746.3091/arthur.thomas@alexandriava.gov. 

Weatherizing and Utility Assistance

A variety of weatherization assistance programs are available to help low and moderate-income City residents weatherize their homes and reduce their monthly energy bills.    

  • Rebuilding Together Alexandria provides free home repairs and safety modifications to homeowners in need (primarily elderly and disabled residents). For more information, contact RTA at 703.836.1021/info@rebuildingtogetheralex.org.
  • Community Housing Partners Corporation performs diagnostic tests to evaluate areas of heat loss and energy efficiency improvements, such as repairing or installing attic and wall insulation and weather striping doors. For more information, contact CHPC at 540.636.8079. 
  • To learn about utility, cooling, and heating assistance provided by the state, Dominion Energy, and the Salvation Army, click here.  

Energy Assessments

The U.S. Department of Energy's Home Performance Program with Energy Star is now being administered in Northern Virginia by LEAP, a nonprofit which coordinates home energy upgrades, such as air sealing and insulation, in area homes. LEAP offers energy assessments to City homeowners to identify key issues and solutions, connects homeowners with available rebates and special financing options, and helps residents select a qualified contractor to complete energy efficiency improvements. For more information, contact LEAP at 434.227.4666/info@leap-va.org.

Green Building Resources

To learn more about the City's green building resources, click here.   

Foreclosure Prevention Resources

The Office of Housing provides referral services to partner agencies on a range of housing topics, including foreclosure prevention, loan default and delinquency, and reverse mortgage counseling. To learn more, contact an approved HUD Housing Counseling agency, including: 

NEW!  The State of Virginia's Mortgage Relief Program stopped accepting new applications for mortgage relief in response to financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on October 1, 2023. Please call 833.687.8677 if you need assistance checking on the status of an existing application. 

Refinancing, Pay Offs, and Loan Rollovers

First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (FHAP) Loan Rollover

As an incentive for First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (FHAP) loan recipients to remain in Alexandria, a one-time rollover of City homeownership assistance is authorized for loan recipients who sell the home that the City assisted them to buy, and immediately purchase a subsequent home within the City. In order to qualify for the rollover, loan recipients would have to be income eligible for FHAP at the time of the sale, and must have resided in the assisted home for at least five years the period of time required to avoid the anti-speculation surcharge). There are program restrictions so contact Vicente Espinoza at 703.746.3087/vicente.espinoza@alexandriava.gov for additional information. 

Refinancing or Paying off a City Loan

If you would like to refinance an existing homeownership or home rehabilitation loan that you received from the City, consult the  City of Alexandria Homeownership Loan Subordination Guidelines and contact Gypsy Roberts at 703.746.3093 or gypsy.roberts@alexandriava.gov.

If you would like to payoff an existing homeownership or home rehabilitation loan that you received from the City, please contact Samuel Gates at 703.746.3076/samuel.gates@alexandriava.gov.