About the Program

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.

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.

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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 $76,000 per household is available for downpayment assistance for open market purchases or for unrestricted homes developed by a homeownership partner organization.

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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.

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