Washington first-time home buyer programs
Washington State Housing Finance Commission lists 6 programs that help buyers in Washington with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 6
- Biggest amount listed
- $150,000
- First-time buyers only
- 3 of 6 programs
- Income caps
- Up to $215,000
Down payment assistance programs in Washington
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Advantage DPA. With the Commission's Home Advantage first-mortgage loan program; homebuyer course. | Up to 5% of the home loan | Deferred loan: 0% loan with no monthly payments. You repay it when you sell, refinance, give the home to someone else, move out or pay off your home loan. | Statewide income limit: $215,000. | No |
| Home Advantage Needs-Based DPA. With the Commission's Home Advantage first-mortgage loan; homebuyer course; price limit $250,000. | Up to $10,000 | Deferred loan: 1% loan with no monthly payments. You repay it when you sell, refinance, give the home to someone else, move out or pay off your home loan. | Income up to $164,400 in King or Snohomish County, and $126,800 elsewhere. | No |
| House Key Opportunity DPA. With the Commission's House Key Opportunity first-mortgage loan; homebuyer course. | Up to $15,000 | Deferred loan: 1% loan with no monthly payments. You repay it when you sell, refinance, give the home to someone else, move out or pay off your home loan. | Income limits depend on your county and household size. | Yes, with exceptions |
| Covenant Homeownership. Only for buyers with pre-1968 Washington roots (themselves, a parent or grandparent) who are or were members of certain groups affected by housing discrimination. With the Commission's Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity first-mortgage loan. | Up to 20% of the price, at most $150,000 | Deferred loan: You make no payments at first; they are put off until later. | Ask the agency | Yes |
| HomeChoice DPA. Only for buyers with a disability or a disabled family member living with them. With the Commission's Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity first-mortgage loan; homebuyer course. | Up to $15,000 | Deferred loan: No monthly payments. You repay it when you sell, refinance, give the home to someone else, move out or pay off your home loan. | Income up to $164,400 in King or Snohomish County, and $126,800 in all other counties. | Yes, with exceptions |
| Veterans Downpayment Assistance Program. With a Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity first mortgage from the Commission. | Up to $10,000 | Deferred loan: You don't make payments on it right away. | Ask the agency | No |
Usually, "first-time buyers only" means you haven't owned a home during the past three years, though every program sets a rule of its own. The name of each program links to a Washington State Housing Finance Commission page that says whether applications are open right now. Compare down payment assistance programs across all states, or ask a lender that works with Washington's programs.
How do you repay Washington's programs?
- Deferred loan: nothing to pay each month, but the full amount comes due when you sell, refinance or pay the first mortgage off.
How does your income compare with Washington's caps?
Every program has its own income cap, which the table shows, and the exact chart is on that program's agency page. Use the HUD income limits lookup (FY2026) to find the figure for your county and household size. If a program relies on its own county chart or Freddie Mac's, the result can differ from HUD's number, and the agency's chart decides.
| HUD area | Median family income | HUD low-income limit |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Bellevue | $164,400 | $116,650 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $128,300 | $102,650 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $105,400 | $84,300 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $99,100 | $79,300 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $129,600 | $103,700 |
HUD uses about 80% of the median as a starting point. Its own caps can hold that number down, including a yearly cap on increases, so the low-income limit is under 80% in a few areas.
Talk to a lender that works with Washington programs
These programs are paid out through the agency's approved lenders, so the lender is your next step. Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with Washington's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.