See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 24, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Spokane, WA (2026)
Spokane is the largest city in Eastern Washington and the county seat of Spokane County, with a population of over 231,000 and a median home price around $385,000, making it one of the more affordable major markets on the West Coast. While Spokane does not have a high-profile city-branded down payment assistance program, buyers can still access meaningful local help through Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP), Community Frameworks' HomeStarts program (up to $20,000), and Habitat for Humanity-Spokane. Combined with Washington State Housing Finance Commission programs like Home Advantage DPA, Opportunity DPA (up to $15,000), Veterans DPA (up to $10,000), and the Covenant Homeownership Program (up to $150,000 for eligible buyers), qualified first-time buyers in Spokane can stack significant assistance despite the lower profile of local DPAs.
City Programs in Spokane
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane Housing Authority Homeownership Program | Repayable Loan | Monthly Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied to mortgage payment | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Monthly Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied to mortgage payment
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Frameworks HomeStarts Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $20,000 | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity Spokane Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home sale with an affordable mortgage capped at 30% of gross monthly income | Yes | View → |
| SNAP Down Payment Assistance Loan Program | Deferred Loan | Amount determined during counseling based on borrower needs and program guidelines | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home sale with an affordable mortgage capped at 30% of gross monthly income
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Amount determined during counseling based on borrower needs and program guidelines
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Spokane-area programs require household income at or below 80% of Spokane County AMI. WSHFC Opportunity DPA is capped at $67,600 for 1-2 person households in Spokane County, while Home Advantage DPA allows household income up to $215,000.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. SNAP offers a required homebuyer education seminar. Call SNAP at (509) 456-SNAP (7627) to schedule. WSHFC programs also accept the free 5-hour class at heretohome.org.
Step 3: Contact SNAP early. SNAP Financial Access is Spokane's primary counseling and DPA hub. They can determine which programs you qualify for and walk you through the stacking strategy.
Step 4: Get pre-approved through a WSHFC participating lender. This unlocks Home Advantage, Opportunity, HomeChoice, Veterans, and Covenant Homeownership Program.
Step 5: If you are interested in a new-construction home, contact Community Frameworks at (509) 484-6733 about the HomeStarts program, which layers up to $20,000 in deferred DPA on qualifying new builds.
Step 6: If you need a below-market purchase, contact Habitat for Humanity-Spokane at (509) 534-2552 to join the homeownership waitlist. The waitlist can run up to one year before application opens.
Step 7: Close on your home. Most DPAs are reserved by the lender at the time of mortgage underwriting and disbursed at closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Spokane?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price in Spokane?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What is SNAP and how can it help me buy a home?+−
Can I buy a home in Spokane with a Section 8 voucher?+−
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