See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in University Place, WA (2026)
University Place is a Pierce County city of about 35,049 residents bordering western Tacoma along Puget Sound, with a median home price near $620,000. Although the City of University Place does not run its own homebuyer down payment assistance program, University Place is on the eligible list for the Pierce County Down Payment Assistance Program (the County program excludes only Tacoma, Lakewood, Bonney Lake, Auburn, and Pacific). The Pierce County DPA provides up to $24,900 as a 30-year deferred loan paired with a WSHFC first mortgage. 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. Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity serves University Place families at 80% AMI or below. Credit union grants from BECU (up to $8,000) and WSECU (up to $10,000) reduce closing-day costs.
County Programs in Pierce County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce County Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $24,900 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $24,900
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Washington
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covenant Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $150,000 (20% down plus 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 $150,000 (20% down plus 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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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 → |
| 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 → |
| 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 sale with zero percent interest mortgage and payment capped at 30% of gross monthly income
- 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
Confirm your eligibility. Most local programs require household income at or below 80% of Pierce County AMI (roughly $96,500 for a four-person household). Pull a recent pay stub and tax return to verify.
Complete homebuyer education. The Washington Homeownership Resource Center, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat, and HomeSight all offer HUD-approved courses. The Pierce County DPA, WSHFC programs, and credit union grants all require a certificate plus a one-on-one pre-purchase counseling session.
Contact a participating WSHFC lender for the Pierce County DPA. The Pierce County DPA pairs only with WSHFC Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity first mortgages. Call the Washington Homeownership Hotline at 1-877-894-4663 to find a lender. WSECU and BECU originate WSHFC loans alongside their own grants.
For Habitat homeownership, contact Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity at owninpierce.com or 4824 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma. You must have lived or worked in Pierce County for at least 12 months and complete 100 sweat equity hours within 4-6 months.
Find a home within University Place city limits or eligible Pierce County areas. The Pierce County DPA covers University Place. WSHFC, BECU, and WSECU programs work countywide.
Submit your loan and DPA application. The Pierce County DPA processes alongside your WSHFC first mortgage. Habitat applications follow Habitat intake cycles.
Close on your home. Pierce County and WSHFC DPA loans record as deferred second mortgages. Credit union grants apply as a credit on your closing disclosure.