Buy A Home
The Office of Housing provides downpayment assistance to homebuyers at or below 80% of area median income through partnerships with local nonprofits and lending institutions. Our partners use Seattle Housing Levy funds, in addition to various other subsidy sources to create affordable homeownership opportunities in Seattle. See more information about our partner Homeownership Organizations below and learn about your eligibility for this program.
Habitat for Humanity Seattle - King County
(206) 453-2950
Habitat of Seattle/South King County builds decent, affordable homes for families in need. Homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor - sweat equity - into building their Habitat house. The lender provides a mortgage which keeps the calculated housing costs below 30% of gross income. If the homeowner cannot afford to pay the full price of the home, Habitat will help secure Down Payment Assistance and provide subsidy financing.
HomeSight
(206) 723-4355
HomeSight is a nonprofit community development corporation that promotes affordable homeownership opportunities through homebuyer education and financial planning, buyer purchase assistance loan underwriting and origination, and new home construction. Through private and public partnerships, HomeSight provides purchase assistance to qualified first-time homebuyers in the form of a low interest loan, and potential borrowers may access up to $70,000 in downpayment assistance.
Homestead Community Land Trust
(206) 323-1227
Homestead is a community-based non-profit affordable homeownership provider that helps income-eligible buyers purchase affordable homes in Seattle, and keeps these homes affordable for future buyers, as well. Homes purchased through Homestead typically cost $50,000-$100,000 less than the home's market-value. Buyers agree that if they choose to sell their home in the future, the sale will be affordable for the next income-eligible buyer. Sellers are able to realize financial equity while Homestead ensures that homes remain affordable for the long-term.
Parkview Services
(877) 541-9846
Parkview Services creates inclusive housing solutions that promote stability, opportunity and community. For over 25 years Parkview has supported people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through the numerous programs that include HUD housing counseling, first time home buyer classes, post purchase financial management, default prevention and down payment assistance. Parkview Services provides purchase assistance to qualified first-time homebuyers in the form of a low interest deferred second mortgage. Eligible homebuyers may access as much as $110,000 in down payment assistance by layering multiple down payment sources.
Washington State Housing Finance Commission
(206) 464-7139
The Seattle Downpayment Assistance Program is no longer available through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Please visit the Commission’s website for other available downpayment assistance programs
Generally, downpayment assistance programs that use Office of Housing funds will require the following eligibility and property selection criteria. Please work with one of the homeownership organizations listed above to confirm specific eligibility and property selection criteria with the downpayment assistance program you will be using.
Household Income Limits
Your household must earn less than 80% of area median income by household size. View the Income and Rent Limits page for more information. If you have questions about how to determine your household income, or if your income is very close to the income limit showing for your family size, check with one of our program partners first before ruling yourself out.
First-Time Homebuyer
Applicants must be first-time homebuyers or not have owned a home in the last 3-years, unless that person is a displaced homemaker. A displaced homemaker is an adult who, during the past 3 years, owned an interest in a home and worked primarily without remuneration to care for his or her home and family, and was displaced from his or her home.
Assistance Amounts
Up to a maximum of $55,000 per household is available for downpayment assistance for open market purchases or for unrestricted homes developed by a homeownership partner organization. For resale restricted homes, developed by homeownership partner organizations the amount of assistance is higher. Up to $70,000, for homes with fewer than 3 bedrooms or up to $90,000 per unit for homes with 3 or more bedrooms.
Within Seattle City Limits
Homes purchased through this program must be inside the city limits of Seattle.
Homebuyer Education Requirement
Applicants must complete a pre-purchase homebuyer education program approved by the City of Seattle. Classes are offered through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) or HomeSight among others. All first-time homebuyers are encouraged to attend a first-time homebuyer education class before beginning their home search.
Housing Counseling Requirement
The Office of Housing requires that homebuyers using downpayment assistance receive one-on-one housing counseling in addition to the homebuyer education program. There are currently two approved organizations that offer this service: HomeSight and Parkview Services.
Principal Residence
Properties must be used as principal residences only. Investment properties are not permitted. All types of units are eligible for purchase, including single-family houses, condominiums, limited equity cooperatives, co-housing, land trusts and homes on leased land.