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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 24, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Kent, WA (2026)

Population: 134,000 | Median home price: $600,000 | Est. closing costs: $12,000 - $18,000

Skyline of Kent, WA

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

King County Housing Authority Homeownership Voucher Program
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

Covenant Homeownership Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $150,000 (20% down plus closing costs)
First-time only:
Yes
Home Advantage DPA
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount
First-time only:
No
Home Advantage Needs-Based DPA
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $10,000
First-time only:
No
HomeChoice Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000
First-time only:
Yes
Opportunity Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000
First-time only:
Yes
Veterans Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Repayable Loan
Amount:
Up to $10,000
First-time only:
Yes

Federal Programs

FHA Loans
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
FHLBA Community Partners Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
Yes
FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
Type:
Government Property Sale Program
Amount:
50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:
Yes
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)
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
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)
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
HUD $100 Down Program
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
USDA Rural Development Loans
Type:
Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:
100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:
No
VA Loans
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

Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King and Kittitas Counties Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Below-market home sale with zero percent interest mortgage
First-time only:
Yes
Homestead Community Land Trust Homeownership
Type:
Silent Second Mortgage
Amount:
Homes sold 30-50% below market through community land trust model
First-time only:
Yes
Sam Smith Hi Neighbor Homeownership Fund
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

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