See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 24, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Kent, WA (2026)
Kent sits in South King County between Seattle and Tacoma and is one of the most affordable sizeable cities in the Seattle metro area, with a median home price around $600,000. Kent is outside the ARCH (East King County) and HomeSight South King County DPA boundaries, so first-time buyers here rely primarily on Washington State Housing Finance Commission programs paired with King County-wide nonprofit options. Home Advantage DPA (up to 5% of the first mortgage), HomeChoice ($15,000), and Opportunity DPA ($15,000) are the most commonly used state programs, and the Covenant Homeownership Program offers up to $150,000 for qualifying buyers. For lower-income households, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties and Homestead Community Land Trust build and sell permanently affordable homes across King County, and current King County Housing Authority voucher holders may use the Homeownership Voucher Program to apply their subsidy to a mortgage. The Sam Smith Hi Neighbor Homeownership Fund offers an additional $20,000 to qualifying Black and African American buyers statewide.
County Programs in King County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County Housing Authority Homeownership Voucher Program | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Monthly Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied to mortgage payment in place of rent. | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Monthly Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied to mortgage payment in place of rent.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King and Kittitas Counties Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home sale with zero percent interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
| Homestead Community Land Trust Homeownership | Silent Second Mortgage | Homes sold 30-50% below market through community land trust model | Yes | View → |
| Sam Smith Hi Neighbor Homeownership Fund | Deferred Loan | Up to $20,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home sale with zero percent interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Silent Second Mortgage
- Amount:
- Homes sold 30-50% below market through community land trust model
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs target households at or below 80% of King County Area Median Income, though Home Advantage accepts up to $180,000 household income for King County buyers.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Take the free WSHFC Homebuyer Education Seminar online or in person — required for all WSHFC mortgage and DPA programs.
Step 3: Get pre-approved with a WSHFC-participating lender. Your lender layers Home Advantage DPA with program-specific DPAs (HomeChoice, Opportunity, Sam Smith Hi Neighbor) for maximum assistance.
Step 4: Contact local nonprofits if you may qualify. Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties at 206-453-2950 builds new homes across King County. Homestead Community Land Trust at homesteadclt.org sells below-market CLT homes to income-qualified buyers.
Step 5: If you hold a KCHA Section 8 voucher, ask your caseworker about the Homeownership Voucher Program, which lets you apply your voucher subsidy to a mortgage instead of rent.
Step 6: Shop for a home in Kent. Most WSHFC programs work anywhere in Washington, but Habitat and Homestead inventory is built as units come available.
Step 7: Close on your home. Your lender submits DPA reservations to WSHFC and coordinates closing, including any post-purchase counseling obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Kent, WA?+−
Does Kent qualify for ARCH or HomeSight down payment assistance?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can I use a Section 8 voucher to buy a home in Kent?+−
How do community land trusts work in King County?+−
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