Veterans Downpayment Assistance Loan Program

Financial Assistance for Homebuyers in Washington

The Washington State Housing Finance Commission's Veterans Downpayment Assistance Loan Program offers down payment assistance to Washington State veterans who have served our country.

Available Assistance
The Veterans Downpayment Assistance Loan Program combines with the Home Advantage first mortgage loan program to offer down payment assistance in the form a second mortgage with a 3 percent interest rate and a ten-year loan term. Eligible households may qualify for a maximum loan amount of up to $10,000.

Eligibility Requirements
The Veterans Downpayment Assistance Loan Program is available to (1.)any person who has received an honorable discharge or a discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record, (2.) members and honorably discharged former members of the Washington National Guard and Reserve, and (3.) never remarried spouses and dependent children of deceased Veterans.

All borrowers must be first-time homebuyers or buying in a targeted area* and must qualify for the Home Advantage Program first mortgage. They are also required to attend a commission-sponsored homebuyer seminar prior to reserving funds

Income Limits
King/Snohomish: $96,000
Kitsap: $77,100
Island: $77,300
All Other Counties: $76,500

Note: All figures mentioned were accurate at the time of publication and may no longer be current - visit the program website for updated information.

*Targeted areas are census tracts in Washington state that meet federal guidelines as economically distressed.

The purpose of this program is to make funds available to eligible applicants who are interested in purchasing a home but need financial help to pay the upfront costs, which include the down payment, as well as the closing costs and prepaid items required to obtain homeownership. These expenses can add up to a substantial amount, and the inability to pay it might keep people stuck in a renters trap.

*Seller-funded down payment programs were eliminated in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, but States and Local government agencies are still permitted to help borrowers finance their homes with second mortgages and grants. These agencies set different requirements that a borrower needs to meet in order to qualify for the grant programs, such as property location, and purchase price and income limits.

Down payment assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at FHA.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property.

FHA.com's compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program.

Down Payment Grants in Washington

ARCH East King County Downpayment Assistance Loan

The ARCH East King County Downpayment Assistance Loan Program helps qualified borrowers purchasing a home or condominium within an ARCH member city. It provides up to $30,000 in down payment assistance at 4 percent simple interest.

Bellingham Downpayment Assistance

The Washington State Housing Finance Commission offers residents of Bellingham the Bellingham Downpayment Assistance program with up to $40,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Payment can be deferred for 30 years at 3% simple interest.

Home Advantage Down Payment Assistance Loan Program

The Washington State Housing Finance Commission offer homebuyers the Home Advantage Down Payment Assistance Loan Program, a second mortgage with a zero percent interest rate and payment deferred for 30 years that combines with the Home Advantage first mortgage.

HomeChoice Down Payment Assistance Program

HomeChoice is a down payment assistance program offered by the Washington Housing and Finance Commission. It combines with the House Key and Home Advantage first mortgage loan programs.

Opportunity Downpayment Assistance Loan Program

The Washington State Housing Finance Commission offers individuals the Opportunity Downpayment Assistance Loan Program, a second mortgage loan program with a 1 percent interest rate, with the payment deferred for 30 years.

Pierce County Downpayment Assistance Program

This program is for qualified borrowers purchasing within the Pierce County limits, outside of the Tacoma, Lakewood, Bonney Lake, Auburn, and Pacific city limits. The loan amount goes up to $24,900, with payments deferred for 30 years, at 4 percent simple interest.

Seattle Downpayment Assistance Program

Under this program, qualified borrowers purchasing within the city limits of Seattle are allowed up to $45,000 in assistance with payments deferred for 30 years, at 3 percent simple interest. Funds may be used for down payment and closing costs.

Tacoma Down Payment Assistance Program

Qualified borrowers within Tacoma city limits are allowed up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance with payments deferred for 30 years, at 4 percent simple interest. The borrower’s minimum down payment requirement is $500.