Assistance program · Washington
Covenant Homeownership Program
Washington state commission loan with no monthly payments of up to 20% of the price (maximum $150,000) plus closing costs, for first-time buyers whose family lived in Washington before 1968 and belonged to a group affected by housing discrimination, including Hispanic people
At a glance
- Most it gives, per the source
- Up to 20% of the price, capped at $150,000
- What its page says; your amount depends on the price and the loan.
- Kind of help
- Deferred
- Second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance
- First-time buyer?
- Yes
- First-time buyers only
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
- Against the program's official page.
Type of help
What it is
- Second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance
What it gives
Up to 20% of the price, capped at $150,000
Source text
All our downpayment assistant programs are provided as payment-deferred loans, and all must be paired with one of our first-mortgage programs (Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity). … Offers a downpayment assistance loan of up to 20% of the cost of the home — up to $150,000 — plus closing costs A summary of what the program publishes; not a loan offer or advice. Amounts, limits and funding change without notice.
At a glance
Who qualifies
Each answer comes from the program's page. "Not stated — ask" means its page doesn't make it clear: ask before you apply.
Source text
Household income at or below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). … First-time homebuyer (both borrower and spouse) as defined in the Covenant Homeownership Act. … The homebuyer or their parent/grandparent/great-grandparent lived in Washington state before April 1968. … The person who lived in Washington before April 1968 is Black, Hispanic, Native American/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander*, Korean or Asian Indian. … You must also take a free homebuyer education class, either virtually or in person. … lenders must now follow a new pre-reservation process before reserving a Covenant loan. - First-time buyers only Yes
- Homebuyer course required Yes
- Minimum credit score Not stated — ask
- Income limit Per the program table (by county and household size)
- Price limit Per the program table
- Mortgages it works with Not stated — ask
- Immigration requirement Not stated — ask
- Accepts ITIN? Not stated — ask
- Spanish materials Yes
- Program status The source does not say whether it is open — ask
- Where it applies All of Washington
What its page says about being open
Its page does not say whether the program is open or has funds. Ask the lender or the agency before counting on it. Read on the official page on November 5, 2026.
Your area in numbers
What buying costs in Washington
The program covers all of Washington. The first column is Washington's figure; the second runs from the lowest to the highest among its counties. Limits change by county: check yours.
The typical home value ($564,600) is higher than Washington's FHA limit ($541,287). An FHA loan cannot go above that limit.
The program sets its income limit in its own table. For reference, HUD's low-income limit for 4 people in Washington is $82,500.
| Figure | Washington | Lowest to highest | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $564,600 | $239,200 (Garfield County) to $859,900 (King County) | U.S. Census Bureau |
| FHA limit (one-unit home) | $541,287 | $541,287 (Adams County) to $1,063,750 (Snohomish County) | HUD |
| Conforming limit (one-unit home) | $832,750 | $832,750 (Adams County) to $1,063,750 (Snohomish County) | FHFA |
| HUD low income (80%), household of 4 | $82,500 | $76,650 (Asotin County) to $116,650 (Snohomish County) | HUD |
Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024) · FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data) · Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data) · Income Limits (HUD) (Fiscal year 2026)
Step by step
How to use it, step by step
Each step comes from what the program's page says. What its page leaves out is further down, in the questions.
Find a participating lender-
Ask first whether it is open
Its page does not say whether it is open or still has funds. That is the first thing to ask.
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Confirm you count as a first-time buyer
The program requires it. Read on its page how it defines "first-time buyer" and whether there are exceptions.
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Find your county in the income table
The limit changes with the county and the number of people in your household. Count the income of everyone the program asks you to add.
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Take the homebuyer course
The program requires it. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach courses. Washington has 15 agencies on HUD's list, and 9 serve people in Spanish.
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Find a participating lender: state programs do not take applications directly; the lender reserves the assistance while processing your mortgage.
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Compare the total cost before you sign
Ask about the total cost. The mortgage with assistance may carry a higher rate than without it, and some programs charge for the course or a fee.
Before you call
What to ask
Its page leaves 6 points unclear. Write them down for when you talk to Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
What its page does not say
- Is it open now, and does it still have funds?
- Is there a maximum price for the home?
- What minimum credit score do you require?
- Which mortgage types does it work with: FHA, VA, USDA or conventional?
- Which immigration status or residency documents do you ask for?
- Do you accept an ITIN?
Worth asking for this kind of help
- When is the second loan repaid: when I sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage?
Against the others
How it compares with Washington's other programs
The 4 programs we checked in Washington, with the same fields from their official pages. "Doesn't say" means its page does not make it clear.
It is one of 3 programs in Washington, out of 4, that require being a first-time buyer. It is one of 3 out of 4 that publish an amount with the figure in their own wording. 3 more programs in the state give "deferred" help: Home Advantage Downpayment Assistance, House Key Opportunity DPA and HomeChoice DPA. 3 of the 4 require a homebuyer course, this one included.
Swipe the table to see every column.
| Program | Kind of help | Published amount | First-time buyers only | Course required | Accepts ITIN | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covenant Homeownership Programthis program | Deferred | Up to 20% of the price, capped at $150,000 | Yes | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| Home Advantage Downpayment Assistance | Deferred | Not published | No | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| House Key Opportunity DPA | Deferred | Up to $15,000 | Yes | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| HomeChoice DPA | Deferred | Up to $15,000 | Yes | Doesn't say | Doesn't say | Statewide |
Sources
How we checked this program
We read the program's official pages on November 5, 2026 and copied their text as it appears on them. We add no amounts or requirements those pages do not state, and a program is listed as open or closed only when its page says so.
We check every program again. If more than 180 days pass without a check, the page says so.
Get free help applying
A HUD-approved housing counselor explains the program's requirements, goes over your numbers and tells you what to ask the lender. They do not sell loans.
Find a counselor (HUD)Read before you apply
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Help and programs
Down payment assistance: how it works
What down payment assistance is, the types that exist (grant, forgivable or deferred second loan, tax credit), who qualifies and where to find it.
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Help and programs
Homebuyer education courses: when you need one
What a homebuyer education course is, when Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and assistance programs require one, and where to take it for free or in Spanish.
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Help and programs
HUD housing counselors: what they do and what they cost
What a HUD-approved housing counselor does, what they help with (buying, renting, missed payments, credit), what they may charge and how to find one.
Your county
Price and income limits depend on the county. Your county page has the typical value, the FHA limit and the counseling agencies that can walk you through the application.