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 May 6, 2025 at 4:25 PM
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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 FY2025. The goals for these classes include providing guidance on the transparent governance of common interest communities; educating common interest community members about insurance and water damage; explaining how common interest communities can build successful budgets; and helping owners understand the legal requirements for resale disclosures. All workshops are offered at no cost to participants, but registration is required.

For more information, contact Kim Cadena/703.746.3104.

2024-2025 Sessions

  • Saturday, October 5, 2024 

Topic: Transparent Governance - Open Meetings, Access to Books & Records, and Email Communications Recording Presentation slides

•    Association Books and Records
•    Open Meetings and Email Communications
•    Social Media Considerations
•    Virginia Community Association Guideline for Executive (Closed) Session
•    Closure Motion for Executive Session (Condominiums)    
•    Closure Motion for Executive Session (Property Owners)
•    Why It Is Time for Rights and Responsibilities for Better Communities

 

  • Saturday, February 8, 2025

Topic: Insurance - What Owners Should Know About Insurance Coverage & Water Damage Claims Recording Presentation slides

•    2025 P&C Market Outlook
•    Insurance Focus - Aging Community Associations
•    Control Losses in Common Areas
•    Loss Prevention - Water Damage and Cold Weather
•    Master Policy Deductible   
•    Master Policy vs. Personal Insurance
•    Managing Insurance Coverage & Claims
•    Negligence Overview
•    Negligence Determination Matrix
•    Underwriting Guidelines

 

  • Saturday, March 22, 2025

Topic: Building a Budget Recording Presentation slides 

•    Annual Calendar
•    Budget Preparation Timeline
•    Budget Notes - Reserves (Condominiums)
•    Budget Notes - Reserves (Property Owners Associations)
•    Budget and Reserves Article
•    Budget Summary
•    Budget Summary with Notes
•    Contract Spreadsheet

 

  • Saturday, May 3, 2025

Topic: Resale Disclosure Recording Presentation Slides 

•    Mandated Resale Certificate Form
•    Resale Certificate Maximum Allowable Fees
•    Resale Disclosure Act - 2023 Update
•    Resale Form & Contents Checklist
 

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, Former Virginia Common Interest Ombudsman: Recording Presentation  

•   Virginia Common Interest Communities Board
•   Virginia Common Interest Communities Ombudsman
•   Common Interest Communities Ombudsman Flowchart for Review of Submissions
•   Filing a Notice of Adverse Decision
•   Common Interest Communities Ombudsman Determinations
•   Sample Association Complaint Form
•   2022-2023 Common Interest Communities Ombudsman Report

  • Saturday, April 6, 2024; 9:30-11:30 a.m.
    Topic: Accessibility Requirements for Common Interest Communities: Recording Presentation

 

• Assistance Animals Under Fair Housing Laws
• Assistance Animals Brochure
• Fair Housing Compliance Strategies
• Fair Housing Dos and Don’ts
• Fair Housing and People with Disabilities Brochure
• Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications Under Fair Housing Laws

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 ranges from $86,640 for a household of one to $143,600 for a household of six in 2024). 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.    

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

Learn more about the City's green building resources.   

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!  After reopening between March 4 and May 3, 2024 the Virginia Mortgage Relief Program has stopped accepting new applications and closed the program. 

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 703.746.3092/anelva.corcosbeltran@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 Post-Purchase Loan Policies and Subordination Guidelines, or contact Gypsy Roberts at 703.746.3092/anelva.corcosbeltran@alexandriava.gov.

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