See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Camas, WA (2026)
Camas is a Clark County city of about 27,250, sitting along the Columbia River about 18 miles east of Vancouver and just across the river from Portland, Oregon. The typical home here runs about $720,000, putting estimated closing costs in the $14,500 to $21,500 range — well above the Washington average, reflecting Camas's strong school district and family-oriented neighborhoods. The City of Camas does not operate its own homebuyer down payment assistance program, but Clark County buyers can access one of the most generous DPA stacks in the state — the Clark County Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $60,000 (combining $45,000 from Clark County and $15,000 from WSHFC). Layered with state options like the Home Advantage DPA, the Covenant Homeownership Program (up to $150,000), and federal loans like FHA, VA, and USDA — plus regional nonprofit support through Evergreen Habitat for Humanity and Proud Ground Community Land Trust — qualifying buyers can significantly reduce the cash needed at closing.
County Programs in Clark County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $60,000 ($45,000 from Clark County + $15,000 from WSHFC) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $60,000 ($45,000 from Clark County + $15,000 from WSHFC)
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Washington
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covenant Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $150,000 (20% down plus closing costs) | Yes | View → |
| Home Advantage DPA | Deferred Loan | Up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount | No | View → |
| Home Advantage Needs-Based DPA | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 | No | View → |
| HomeChoice Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| Opportunity Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| Veterans Down Payment Assistance | Repayable Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $150,000 (20% down plus closing costs)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BECU First-Time Homebuyer Grant | Grant | Up to $8,000 (the lesser of 3% of purchase price, 3% of appraised value, or $8,000) | Yes | View → |
| Evergreen Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Repayable Loan | Affordable home purchase with 4.5% fixed first-mortgage rate and approximately $30-$40/month land lease fee | Yes | View → |
| Proud Ground Community Land Trust Homeownership | Grant | Below-market home purchase through permanently affordable community land trust model; subsidy value varies by property. | Yes | View → |
| WSECU Welcome Home Grant | Grant | Up to 5% of the home sale price, not to exceed $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $8,000 (the lesser of 3% of purchase price, 3% of appraised value, or $8,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with 4.5% fixed first-mortgage rate and approximately $30-$40/month land lease fee
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Below-market home purchase through permanently affordable community land trust model; subsidy value varies by property.
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the home sale price, not to exceed $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. The Clark County DPA program requires household income at or below 90% of area median income, first-time buyer status, and pre-purchase housing counseling. Most state DPA programs require a 620 minimum credit score and household income under the King/Snohomish or county-specific limits.
Complete the required homebuyer education. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission requires a free five-hour homebuyer education seminar from an approved provider. The Clark County DPA program also requires pre-purchase counseling. Proud Ground and the Washington Homeownership Resource Center (1-877-894-4663) can connect you with approved providers.
Get pre-approved through a participating lender. WSHFC publishes a list of approved Home Advantage and House Key lenders. Your loan officer can help you stack the Clark County DPA with state programs.
Find a home within program purchase price limits. The Clark County DPA program has its own purchase price cap (verify current limit with your lender), and the Home Advantage program caps purchase prices at $1,000,000 in Clark County. Camas's $720,000 median sits comfortably under both.
Layer your assistance. The combined Clark County + WSHFC DPA can reach $60,000. Add the Home Advantage DPA (5% of loan), the Opportunity DPA, or the Veterans DPA on top depending on eligibility.
Submit your application through your lender. Clark County DPA applications are processed through the County Treasurer's office in coordination with your lender.
Close on your home. DPA funds are disbursed at closing along with your first mortgage. Post-purchase counseling is also required for Clark County program participants.