See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 24, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Tacoma, WA (2026)
Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County and Washington's third-largest city, with a population of over 222,000 and a median home price around $470,000. Tacoma offers one of the most generous city-level down payment assistance programs in the state: the City of Tacoma Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $60,000 as a zero-interest deferred second mortgage for first-time buyers within city limits. Buyers can also use the WSHFC Tacoma Downpayment Assistance Program (up to $20,000 at 4% simple interest), the Homeownership Center Northwest Evergreen program (0% silent second mortgage), and Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. 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 Tacoma can stack well over $100,000 in assistance.
City Programs in Tacoma
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Tacoma Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $60,000 | Yes | View → |
| Tacoma Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (WSHFC) | Deferred Loan | Up to $20,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $60,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homeownership Center Northwest Evergreen Program | Silent Second Mortgage | As-needed second mortgage up to program limits | Yes | View → |
| Tacoma Pierce County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home sale with zero percent interest mortgage and payment capped at 30% of gross monthly income | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Silent Second Mortgage
- Amount:
- As-needed second mortgage up to program limits
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home sale with zero percent interest mortgage and payment capped at 30% of gross monthly income
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Tacoma-area programs require household income at or below 80% of Pierce County AMI. For example, the City of Tacoma DPA and Habitat for Humanity both use the 80% AMI threshold. WSHFC Opportunity DPA is capped at $79,450 for 1-2 person Pierce County households.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The City of Tacoma and WSHFC programs require a 5-hour WSHFC homebuyer education class (heretohome.org). Homeownership Center Northwest also offers a 5-hour homeownership class; contact them at (253) 627-6560.
Step 3: Decide which Tacoma DPA product fits best. The City of Tacoma Down Payment Assistance Program offers the largest amount (up to $60,000 at 0% interest). The WSHFC Tacoma DPA (up to $20,000 at 4%) can be layered or used independently. HCNW Evergreen offers an "as-needed" silent second at 0%.
Step 4: Get pre-approved through a WSHFC participating lender. This unlocks Home Advantage, Opportunity, HomeChoice, Veterans, and Covenant Homeownership Program, and is required to layer the Tacoma DPA products.
Step 5: If you want a below-market Habitat home, contact Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity at their office at 4824 South Tacoma Way or visit owninpierce.com to attend a homebuyer orientation. You must have lived or worked in Pierce County for at least 12 months.
Step 6: Find a home within Tacoma city limits for the largest DPA products. The City of Tacoma DPA and WSHFC Tacoma DPA both require purchase inside Tacoma's boundaries.
Step 7: Close on your home. Most DPAs are reserved by the lender at mortgage underwriting and disbursed at closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Tacoma?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price in Tacoma?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does Pierce County offer down payment assistance to Tacoma buyers?+−
How do I qualify for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity?+−
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