Deferred second loan
Bellingham Downpayment Assistance
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single-family detached, townhomes, condos (agency-approved), PUDs · manufactured housing per agency guidelines
Down payment assistance · Whatcom County
Buying a home in Bellingham, WA
1 Bellingham program and 9 statewide.Bellingham has 1 program of its own, and 9 statewide. Here is what each one offers, what the local market looks like, and who near you can walk you through it.
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Only for Bellingham addresses
Bellingham’s own program
The Bellingham marketThe Bellingham housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Bellingham
- 43.4% single-familysingle-family
- 4.5% townhousetownhouse
- 10.8% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 38.7% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 2.6% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. Bellingham’s one local program accepts condos.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Bellingham’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
42.8%
of Bellingham homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$123,300
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, Whatcom County, 4-person household (2026)
$66,755
Bellingham median household incomeMedian household income in Bellingham (Census, 2024)
15 of the 72 programs here set their income limit as a share of Whatcom County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Whatcom County
Free help nearbyFree help near Bellingham
1 HUD-approved counseling agency within 15 miles1 HUD-approved housing counseling agency within 15 miles
Bellingham’s program asks for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.Bellingham Downpayment Assistance asks for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Across Washington and nationwide
71 statewide & federal programs9 statewide programs, plus federal options
Bellingham questions
Does Bellingham have its own down payment program?
Yes, one: Bellingham Downpayment Assistance, a deferred second loan for first-time homebuyers (new construction, income limits). It is for homes inside Bellingham.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Bellingham?
Bellingham’s one local program accepts condos. Each program’s page lists the kinds of homes it accepts, and the agency confirms it for the home you choose.
What is the income limit in Whatcom County?
Each program sets its own. 15 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Whatcom County, adjusted for household size. HUD publishes the median each year; the 2026 figure is shown above and on the published limits page.
Where can I take a homebuyer class near Bellingham?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 1 agency is within 15 miles of Bellingham. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
98225 · 98226 · 98227 · 98228
Nearby in Whatcom
Sources
Sources: agency sites (June–August 2026), Census ACS 2024 5-year, HUD FY2026, HUD counseling list. Hey Prescott is not a lender.Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (June–August 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.