Mortgage Navigator • Washington DPA

Washington down payment assistance, deep-checked against current state program sources.

A current inventory of state-run and state-administered assistance in Washington, plus national DPA options. Funding and rate sheets can still change after this review date.

Reviewed September 11, 2026 • Joshua Dobson, NMLS #190260

Published Minimum FICO: Published minimum FICO is shown only where the administering agency currently publishes one. If a universal score is not established, Mortgage Navigator labels it product/program specific rather than inventing a number.

Quick comparison

ProgramPotential assistancePublished min. FICORepayment/ForgivenessBiggest catch
WSHFC Home Advantage DPA3% or 4% of first mortgage under current matrixproduct/program specificDeferred second; exact interest/term per current Commission matrixLive Commission matrix controls assistance level, interest and repayment terms.
WSHFC Opportunity DPACurrent matrix amount, commonly percentage-basedproduct/program specificDeferred second under Commission programVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
WSHFC Veterans DPAUp to current Veterans program capproduct/program specificSpecial veteran second-mortgage assistanceVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
WSHFC HomeChoice DPAUp to current HomeChoice capproduct/program specificSpecial-needs/disability homebuyer assistanceVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
Covenant Homeownership DPANeed-based assistance under current Covenant program limitsprogram specificState special-purpose DPA; forgiveness available for eligible borrowers under 80% AMI who satisfy 5-year occupancy under 2025 law changesHighly specific eligibility. Do not describe as general DPA; forgiveness rules differ by income.
WSHFC-administered local/special DPA menuAmounts vary by Bellingham, Clark County, ARCH and other Commission-administered programsprogram/geography specificTerms vary by funding sourceThese are Commission-administered but locally/specially funded; availability and exact amount vary.
State program

WSHFC Home Advantage DPA

WSHFC Home Advantage DPA is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: product/program specific

Biggest catch: Live Commission matrix controls assistance level, interest and repayment terms.
State program

WSHFC Opportunity DPA

WSHFC Opportunity DPA is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: product/program specific

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

WSHFC Veterans DPA

WSHFC Veterans DPA is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: product/program specific

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

WSHFC HomeChoice DPA

WSHFC HomeChoice DPA is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: product/program specific

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

Covenant Homeownership DPA

Covenant Homeownership DPA is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Highly specific eligibility. Do not describe as general DPA; forgiveness rules differ by income.
State program

WSHFC-administered local/special DPA menu

WSHFC-administered local/special DPA menu is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program/geography specific

Biggest catch: These are Commission-administered but locally/specially funded; availability and exact amount vary.

National programs Washington buyers should also check

National

National Homebuyers Fund

NHF multi-state assistance may be available through participating lenders. Current lender/product terms control credit, pricing, assistance and repayment or forgiveness.

Published minimum FICO: product/lender specific

Biggest catch: Compare first-mortgage pricing and DPA terms together.
National

Chenoa Fund

Chenoa Fund provides FHA down-payment assistance through approved lender partners. Current matrices control credit, pricing and second-mortgage terms.

Published minimum FICO: product/lender specific

Biggest catch: Current lender/program matrix controls.

Washington's biggest DPA lesson

Washington has a large Commission-administered DPA menu. V25 separates statewide Home Advantage/Opportunity, special Veterans/HomeChoice, the state Covenant program, and locally funded programs administered through WSHFC. Exact live amounts are left to the current matrix where the Commission changes terms.

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Official sources