See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Longview, WA (2026)
Longview is the largest city in Cowlitz County, on the Columbia River about 50 miles north of Portland, with a median home price near $390,000 — one of the most affordable urban markets in Western Washington. The City of Longview, the Longview Housing Authority, and the Lower Columbia Community Action Program partner on the SHARE Program, which provides up to $20,000 in grant assistance for down payment, closing costs, and homebuyer counseling for households purchasing inside Longview city limits. Stack with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission Home Advantage DPA up to 5% of the loan, HomeChoice up to $15,000 for buyers with disabilities, Veterans DPA up to $10,000, and the Covenant Homeownership Program up to $150,000 for eligible historically excluded buyers. Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity (based in Kelso) builds affordable homes with 0% interest mortgages for families at 30%-80% AMI. Credit union grants from BECU (up to $8,000) and WSECU (up to $10,000) round out closing-day assistance.
City Programs in Longview
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longview SHARE Program | Grant | Up to $20,000 grant for down payment and closing cost assistance | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 grant for down payment and closing cost assistance
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
| Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home purchase with 0% interest 30-year Habitat mortgage; effective subsidy typically tens of thousands of dollars | 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:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home purchase with 0% interest 30-year Habitat mortgage; effective subsidy typically tens of thousands of dollars
- 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
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. The SHARE Program targets households at or below 80% of Cowlitz County AMI. Pull a recent pay stub and tax return so you can verify household income.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education and counseling. The SHARE Program includes mandatory homeownership counseling through the Longview Housing Authority and Lower Columbia CAP. The Washington Homeownership Resource Center also offers HUD-approved courses for state and credit union programs.
Step 3: Contact the SHARE Program partners. Call the Longview Housing Authority or the Lower Columbia Community Action Program to begin the SHARE intake process and verify current grant funding cycles.
Step 4: For Habitat homeownership, contact Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity at 360-425-6177 or cowlitzhabitat.org. Selection is based on need, willingness to partner, and ability to repay an affordable mortgage. Approved families complete 500 sweat equity hours.
Step 5: Get pre-approved through a participating WSHFC lender. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission has a network of lenders trained on Home Advantage, HomeChoice, Opportunity, Veterans DPA, and Covenant Homeownership programs. Call the Washington Homeownership Hotline at 1-877-894-4663 to find one. WSECU and BECU originate WSHFC loans alongside their own grants.
Step 6: Find a home within Longview city limits if you want SHARE funds. The SHARE Program is restricted to homes inside the city boundary, not unincorporated Cowlitz County or Kelso.
Step 7: Submit your loan and DPA application. SHARE funds are processed alongside your first mortgage. Habitat applications follow Habitat intake cycles.
Step 8: Close on your home. SHARE grants typically apply at closing as a credit. WSHFC DPA records as a deferred second mortgage. Credit union grants apply as a credit on your closing disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Longview?+−
Do I have to buy inside Longview city limits?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
I cannot afford a 500-hour Habitat sweat equity commitment. What other options do I have?+−
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