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Washington Down Payment and Homeownership Assistance


Every state has down payment or homeownership assistance programs; some states have both. The programs are designed to provide affordable housing opportunities to homebuyers who might not ordinarily be able to afford a house.

Each program can have their own income and eligibility requirements but primarily the programs are available for first-time homebuyers or low-income families.

Keep in mind if you had no ownership in a principal residence in the previous 3 years, you are also considered a first-time homebuyer even if you owned a home prior to that 3-year period.

The programs are not usually administered directly through the State. Instead, they are nonprofit based and handled through a third party agency. The list below will start you on your search but be sure to confirm the program is currently available.

(Source: HUD.gov)

Statewide Programs

Community Contacts – find out if your community offers HUD-funded down-payment or closing cost help”
Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) – homebuyer programs, including downpayment and closing cost assistance
Habitat for Humanity – through volunteer labor, builds and rehabilitates houses for families in need
USDA Rural Development Office – homebuyer programs in rural communities
National Foundation for Credit Counseling – get help with budgeting, debt management and credit issues
Washington Homeownership Center – free information and referral service. Call their Homeownership Hotline 1 (877) 894-HOME (4663)
Washington State Community Action Partners – listed by county, offering various services including homebuyer education and/or downpayment assistance

Western Washington

Bellevue/East King County
Community Housing Resource Center – Vancouver and SW Washington
El Centro de la Raza Homeownership Center – Housing counseling, financial literacy, debt and credit management. Classes in English and Spanish.
HomeSight (Seattle, South King and Snohomish Counties)
Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority
Longview
Pierce County Housing Programs
Snohomish County
Tacoma

Eastern Washington

Benton/Franklin/Walla Walla – Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Tri-Cities
Benton/Franklin – Benton Franklin Community Action Committee
Columbia/Garfield/Walla Walla – Blue Mountain Action Council
Community Frameworks – Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program
Ferry/Pend Oreille/Stevens – Rural Resources Community Action
Kennewick
Pasco – Community & Economic Development Dept. (509) 545-3441
Richland, City of
Spokane, City of
Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs
Spokane County
Whitman – Community Action Center
Yakima