See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Walla Walla, WA (2026)
Walla Walla is the largest city in Walla Walla County in southeastern Washington wine country, with a median home price near $418,000 — one of the more affordable urban markets in the state. Although the City of Walla Walla does not run its own homebuyer down payment assistance program, buyers stack help from 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), Opportunity DPA (up to $15,000), and the Covenant Homeownership Program (up to $150,000 for eligible historically excluded buyers). Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity serves western Walla Walla County (which includes Walla Walla city) along with Benton and Franklin counties. The Walla Walla Housing Authority operates an HCV Homeownership Program that lets eligible Section 8 households apply their voucher subsidy toward a mortgage payment instead of rent. Credit union grants from BECU (up to $8,000) and WSECU (up to $10,000) reduce closing-day costs.
County Programs in Walla Walla County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walla Walla Housing Authority HCV Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Monthly Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied to mortgage payment in place of rent | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Monthly Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied to mortgage payment in place of rent
- 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 → |
| Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home sale with affordable mortgage capped at 30% of gross monthly income | No | 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 affordable mortgage capped at 30% of gross monthly income
- First-time only:
- No
- 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 Walla Walla County AMI. The HCV Homeownership Program follows lower Section 8 income limits (typically 50% AMI or below).
Complete homebuyer education. The Washington Homeownership Resource Center, Tri-County Partners Habitat, and HomeSight all offer HUD-approved courses. Most state, nonprofit, and credit union programs require a certificate.
Contact a local nonprofit or housing authority. For Habitat homeownership, contact Tri-County Partners Habitat at habitatbuilds.com. For HCV Homeownership, call the Walla Walla Housing Authority at 509-527-4542. Existing Section 8 voucher holders need at least one year on the program to be eligible.
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.
Find a home within program price limits. WSHFC sales price limits in Walla Walla County align with the conventional loan limit (well above $700,000 for 2026). Habitat homes are pre-priced below market and inventory is limited.
Submit your loan and DPA application. State DPA is processed alongside your mortgage. Habitat and HCV Homeownership applications follow their own intake cycles, so plan ahead.
Close on your home. WSHFC DPA records as a deferred second mortgage. Credit union grants apply as a credit on your closing disclosure. HCV Homeownership subsidy continues monthly toward your mortgage payment while you remain eligible.