Seattle's $55,000 Down Payment Assistance, Explained
Buyers inside the Seattle city limits can access up to $55,000 in down payment assistance through WSHFC. In one of the priciest markets in the country, that changes what's possible. Here is how it works.
How Seattle’s program works
Seattle is one of the hardest markets in the country to save a down payment for, which is why the size of the local program matters so much. Through WSHFC, buyers purchasing inside the Seattle city limits can access up to $55,000, a deferred second mortgage you do not pay on until you sell, refinance, or move out. On a condo or townhome in Rainier Valley, Beacon Hill, or the north-end neighborhoods, that amount can cover the entire down payment and then some, turning renting-forever math into a real purchase.
Stacking it higher
The $55,000 is the base, not the ceiling. It layers with the statewide Home Advantage DPA (up to 4%, or 5% on conventional or FHA), so a Seattle buyer can add several thousand more toward closing costs. Veterans can add up to $10,000, and buyers with a disability in the household can look at HomeChoice ($15,000). The rules on what combines are specific, and the income limits differ by program, which is exactly where a lender who knows WSHFC earns their keep.
Who qualifies
You need to be buying inside the Seattle city limits (east King County has a separate up-to-$30,000 program), have a 620 credit score, and fall under the program’s income limit. Homebuyer education is required. Because the exact amount, boundary, and income limit change, we confirm your current figures with WSHFC before you write an offer. See the full menu on our local programs page.
Common questions
How much down payment assistance can Seattle buyers get?
Buyers purchasing inside the Seattle city limits can access up to $55,000 through WSHFC, a deferred second mortgage. It layers with the statewide Home Advantage DPA (up to 4%–5%), and veterans can add up to $10,000. East King County has a separate program up to $30,000.
Do I have to buy inside Seattle city limits for the $55,000?
Yes, the up-to-$55,000 program applies to purchases within the Seattle city limits. East King County (ARCH member cities) has a separate program up to $30,000, and the rest of King County uses the statewide programs. We confirm which applies to your exact address.
Do I repay Seattle's down payment assistance?
It is a payment-deferred second, so no payment is due until you sell, transfer, move out of, or refinance the home, or pay off the first mortgage. Interest is low, 0% to 4% depending on the program. Confirm the current terms with WSHFC.
See if you qualify in Seattle
Tell us your county, credit range, and price target, and we’ll map your Washington path in a no-pressure 20-minute call. No obligation.