Washington First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) - Here to Home currently lists 6 programs for Washington buyers, with down payment help up to $150,000 through Covenant Homeownership Program. Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
Washington first-time buyer programs open now
Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) - Here to Home is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 6 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs. Varies by program. Most Commission down payment assistance loans do NOT require first-time homeownership (Home Advantage DPA, Home Advantage Needs-Based DPA, ARCH).
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Advantage Downpayment Assistance source | Deferred second loan | 3%, 4%, or 5% of the first-mortgage loan amount | No | n/a | Household income must not exceed $215,000/year statewide |
| Home Advantage Needs-Based Downpayment Assistance source | Deferred second loan | Up to $10,000 | No | n/a | Up to $164,400 in King/Snohomish counties; $126,800 in all other counties |
| House Key Opportunity Downpayment Assistance source | Deferred second loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | n/a | By county and household size: King/Snohomish $93,350 (1-2 person)/$116,650 (3+); |
| Covenant Homeownership Program source | Deferred second loan | Up to 20% of the cost of the home, capped at $150,000, plus closing costs | Yes | n/a | At or below 120% Area Median Income, varying by county from $116,400 (most counties) up to $197,300 (King and Snohomish counties); |
| HomeChoice Downpayment Assistance source | Deferred second loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | n/a | Up to $164,400 in King/Snohomish counties; $126,800 in all other counties |
| Veterans Downpayment Assistance Program source | Deferred second loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | n/a | Up to $164,400 in King/Snohomish counties; $126,800 in all other counties |
- Home Advantage Downpayment Assistance. Terms: 0% interest; no monthly payments; balance due when the borrower sells, refinances, transfers the property, stops using it as their principal residence, or pays off the home (at or before 30 years) Must pair with: Home Advantage first-mortgage loan program Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Home Advantage Needs-Based Downpayment Assistance. Terms: 1% simple interest; no monthly payments; balance due at sale, refinance, transfer, ceasing primary residence, or payoff (at or before 30 years) Purchase price limit: For homes purchased at $250,000 or less Must pair with: Home Advantage first-mortgage loan program Homebuyer education: required Program page
- House Key Opportunity Downpayment Assistance. Terms: 1% simple interest; no monthly payments; balance due at sale, refinance, transfer, ceasing primary residence, or payoff (at or before 30 years) Must pair with: House Key Opportunity first-mortgage loan program Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Covenant Homeownership Program. Terms: Secondary loan to a primary mortgage (conventional, FHA, HUD 184, VA, or USDA); 2025 legislative amendment (HB 1696) allows loan forgiveness for some participants; can be layered with other down payment assistance and gifts Must pair with: Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity first-mortgage loan program Homebuyer education: required Program page
- HomeChoice Downpayment Assistance. Terms: No monthly payments; balance due at sale, refinance, transfer, ceasing primary residence, or payoff (at or before 30 years) Must pair with: Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity first-mortgage loan program Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Veterans Downpayment Assistance Program. Terms: 3% interest; no monthly payments; balance due at sale, refinance, transfer, ceasing primary residence, or payoff (at or before 30 years) Must pair with: Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity first-mortgage loan program Homebuyer education: required Program page
Mortgage credit certificate in Washington
Washington offers a mortgage credit certificate (WSHFC Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)), a federal tax credit on part of the mortgage interest you pay each year, for as long as you live in the home. MCC program page
City and county programs in Washington
Local governments run their own down payment funds on top of the state programs. These can be combined with a state loan in most cases; each has its own income limit and area.
- ARCH (A Regional Coalition for Housing) - East King County: Beaux Arts Village, Bellevue, Bothell, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Medina, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Redmond, Sammamish, Woodinville, Yarrow Point: ARCH Downpayment Assistance. Up to $30,000. Deferred second loan. Income limit: By household size, from $81,700 (1 person) up to $154,000 (8 person); full table on the source page. Official page
- City of Bellingham: Bellingham Downpayment Assistance Program. Up to $40,000. Deferred second loan. Income limit: By household size, from $66,720 (1 person) up to $125,850 (8 person); full table on the source page. First-time buyers only. Official page
How little you can put down
You do not need 20% down. Conventional loans go as low as 3% (through programs like Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible), FHA loans start at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can require nothing down. On Washington's median-priced home (about $644,300), 3% down is roughly $19,329. Putting 20% down lets you skip private mortgage insurance, but most first-time buyers put down far less.
Who counts as a first-time buyer
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years, so many repeat buyers qualify again. Washington programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Stack a buyer rebate on top in Washington
Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in Washington you can use both. Assistance from Washington State Housing Finance Commission helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $12,886 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.
See Washington buyer rebates → See Washington closing costs →
You may qualify for more help in your county
City and county governments in Washington run their own down payment programs on top of the state ones, and most can be combined with a state loan. Each county page lists the local programs, income limits and local closing costs alongside the state programs:
- King County: local help up to $150,000
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Washington?
Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) - Here to Home lists 6 programs: Home Advantage Downpayment Assistance, Home Advantage Needs-Based Downpayment Assistance, House Key Opportunity Downpayment Assistance, Covenant Homeownership Program, HomeChoice Downpayment Assistance, Veterans Downpayment Assistance Program. Down payment help runs up to $150,000. ARCH (A Regional Coalition for Housing) - East King County: Beaux Arts Village, Bellevue, Bothell, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Medina, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Redmond, Sammamish, Woodinville, Yarrow Point, City of Bellingham also run local down payment programs.
How much down payment assistance can you get in Washington?
Up to $150,000 through Covenant Homeownership Program (deferred second loan). Other Washington programs offer different amounts; see the table on this page for each one.
Do you have to be a first-time buyer to qualify in Washington?
Not for every program. 2 of 6 Washington programs are open to repeat buyers. Varies by program. Most Commission down payment assistance loans do NOT require first-time homeownership (Home Advantage DPA, Home Advantage Needs-Based DPA, ARCH). House Key Opportunity DPA, HomeChoice DPA, the Veterans DPA, the Bellingham DPA, and the Covenant Homeownership Program require first-time homebuyer status (or purchase in a Targeted Area). The Covenant program's own broad definition: has not owned a home in the past 3 years, is a single parent/displaced homemaker who only owned with a former spouse, or only owned a home with no permanent foundation or a home later ruled uninhabitable (both borrower and spouse must qualify). (per heretohome.org)
How much down payment do you need in Washington?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On Washington's median-priced home (about $644,300), 3% is roughly $19,329. You do not need 20% down, though 20% lets you avoid mortgage insurance.
Who counts as a first-time home buyer?
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years. Some Washington programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in Washington?
Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in Washington. Assistance helps with your down payment and closing costs up front; a rebate returns about 2% of the price at closing, which you can put toward closing costs. You can use both.
Official sources
- Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) - Here to Home
- Covenant Homeownership Program - Here to Home (WSHFC)
- Here to Home homepage - WSHFC
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
Washington program details last verified against Washington State Housing Finance Commission on September 11, 2026.
Read the full guide to the cash you need to buy →
This is general information, not financial advice. Program details, limits, and loan terms change; confirm the current rules with Washington State Housing Finance Commission and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states