See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Kennewick, WA (2026)
Kennewick sits in Benton County along the Columbia River and is the largest city in the Tri-Cities region (alongside Pasco and Richland). With a median home price around $425,000, it remains one of Washington's more attainable major markets. Kennewick first-time buyers can access the City of Kennewick Down Payment Assistance Program, which uses federal HOME funds to provide up to $50,000 in deferred-loan assistance to income-qualified buyers. The state Washington State Housing Finance Commission stack adds Home Advantage DPA (up to 5% of the loan amount), Opportunity DPA (up to $15,000), and Veterans DPA (up to $10,000). For lower-income families, Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity offers a path to homeownership through affordable home builds. Combined, these programs can cover most or all of a buyer's down payment and closing costs at Kennewick's price points.
City Programs in Kennewick
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $50,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Washington
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covenant Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 20% of the purchase price (or appraised value, if lower), capped at $150,000, plus buyer-paid 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 20% of the purchase price (or appraised value, if lower), capped at $150,000, plus buyer-paid 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 → |
| 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:
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home sale with affordable mortgage capped at 30% of gross monthly income | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home sale with affordable mortgage capped at 30% of gross monthly income
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The City of Kennewick DPA program requires household income at or below 80% of the area median for the Kennewick-Pasco-Richland MSA, a minimum credit score of 620, and a debt-to-income ratio at or below 41% (43% with a 680+ score). State WSHFC programs typically require income at or below the published county limits.
Step 2: Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Free classes are available locally that satisfy both the City of Kennewick and WSHFC requirements. Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity also offers homebuyer education at 509-943-5555.
Step 3: Get pre-approved with a participating lender. The state maintains a list of WSHFC-approved lenders who can pair the first mortgage with Home Advantage DPA, Opportunity DPA, or Veterans DPA. Many of these lenders also work with the City of Kennewick HOME program.
Step 4: Apply for the City of Kennewick Down Payment Assistance Program. Submit the application package directly to the city, including proof of income, completed homebuyer education certificate, and pre-approval letter. Plan to contribute at least the greater of $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price.
Step 5: Find a home within Kennewick city limits. The City of Kennewick DPA only applies to homes inside the city. WSHFC purchase price caps for Benton County typically allow most homes near or below the local median.
Step 6: Close the home. The DPA second mortgage is recorded at closing, and funds are delivered to escrow. As long as you remain in the home and do not refinance to extract equity, the deferred loan stays in place.
Step 7: For Habitat for Humanity, apply directly through Tri-County Partners. Plan for 500 hours of sweat equity on construction or qualified projects and a 12-month minimum residency in the community before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Kennewick?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price in Kennewick?+−
What credit score do I need?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
How does Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity work?+−
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