Washington's Local Down Payment Programs (up to $60,000)
Washington runs some of the largest local down payment programs in the country, up to $60,000 in Clark County, $55,000 in Seattle and Pierce County. Here is the full menu, who each fits, and how they stack with the statewide help.
The full Washington DPA menu
| Program | Amount | Who / where |
|---|---|---|
| Clark County | Up to $60,000 | Buyers within Clark County (Vancouver area) |
| Seattle | Up to $55,000 | Buyers within Seattle city limits |
| Pierce County | Up to $55,000 | Buyers within Pierce County limits |
| Bellingham | Up to $40,000 | Buyers within Bellingham city limits |
| Tacoma | Up to $30,000 | Buyers within Tacoma city limits |
| ARCH East King County | Up to $30,000 | Buyers in an ARCH member city (east King County) |
| Opportunity DPA | Up to $15,000 | House Key Opportunity loan borrowers (statewide) |
| HomeChoice | Up to $15,000 | Buyers with a disability, or a disabled family member |
| Veterans | Up to $10,000 | Military veterans (statewide) |
| Home Advantage DPA | Up to 4%–5% + $10,000 needs-based | Any Home Advantage buyer (statewide) |
| Covenant Homeownership | Up to $150,000 | Buyers affected by WA's history of racial covenants |
Amounts verified from WSHFC down payment page (August 2026). Local programs have specific city/county boundaries, income limits, and funding cycles, confirm your program and current amount with WSHFC.
Start with the local program
If you are buying in one of the covered areas, the local program is usually where the biggest money is. Clark County’s up-to-$60,000 is the largest in the state; Seattle and Pierce County reach $55,000; Bellingham $40,000; Tacoma and east King County $30,000. These are deferred seconds with no payment until you sell, transfer, move out, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. Because each has its own boundary and income limit, the first step is confirming your exact address qualifies, which we do up front.
Then stack the statewide help
The local program is usually the base, and the statewide options stack on top. The Home Advantage DPA (up to 4%, or 5% on conventional or FHA) adds to many local programs. Veterans (up to $10,000) and HomeChoice (up to $15,000, for buyers with a disability) add targeted paths. And the Covenant Homeownership program (up to $150,000) is a distinct route for buyers affected by Washington’s history of racially restrictive covenants, see our Covenant page.
Sorting out the strongest stack
With this many programs, the value is in knowing which combine and which income limit governs. That is what we do, tell us your city, income, and whether you have served or have a disability in the household, and we map the strongest legal stack for your situation. Start with the quiz above, or call Mike at (480) 296-6513.
Common questions
Which Washington cities have local down payment assistance?
Several, with large amounts: Clark County (up to $60,000), Seattle (up to $55,000), Pierce County (up to $55,000), Bellingham (up to $40,000), Tacoma (up to $30,000), and ARCH east King County (up to $30,000). These are deferred second mortgages through WSHFC, and most layer with the statewide Home Advantage DPA.
What is the largest down payment program in Washington?
Clark County's program, at up to $60,000, is the largest local down payment assistance program in Washington. Seattle and Pierce County follow at up to $55,000 each. All are deferred second mortgages, no payment until you sell, transfer, move out, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage, through WSHFC.
Can I combine Washington's local and statewide programs?
Often yes. A local program (like Seattle's $55,000 or Clark County's $60,000) is usually the base, and the statewide Home Advantage DPA (up to 4%–5%), Veterans ($10,000), or HomeChoice ($15,000) can stack on top where the rules allow. We map the strongest legal combination.
Do I repay Washington local down payment assistance?
These are payment-deferred seconds, 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 each program's current terms with WSHFC.
Find your local Washington program
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.