Down Payment Assistance

What is Down Payment Assistance?

Down Payment Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Multiple County, Washington.

• Chehalis Tribal Housing Authority NAHASDA-funded down payment and closing cost assistance program for enrolled Chehalis tribal members purchasing a primary residence within the Chehalis tribal service area.
• Down payment and closing cost assistance for enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation purchasing a primary residence within the Chehalis tribal service area in southwest Washington. NAHASDA/IHBG-funded 0% deferred forgivable second mortgage — no monthly payment, forgiven over an affordability period if owner-occupancy maintained.
• Funding comes from Federal, HUD, NAHASDA, IHBG, and Tribal.

How much assistance does it provide?

Down Payment Assistance offers between $5,000 and $40,000 in assistance.

• Buyer contribution: Minimum $500 borrower contribution from own funds typical.
• The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each.
• Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Down Payment Assistance is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

• Repayment is triggered by Forgiven over affordability period if owner-occupied and payable in full upon sale, refinance with cash-out, or vacating primary residence.
• The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Down Payment Assistance is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Household income $53,100 (1 person) to $123,250 (8 person) per HUD NAHASDA / IHBG limits for the Chehalis tribal service area.
• The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
• The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
• Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Down Payment Assistance caps the purchase price as follows: Reasonable purchase price for primary residence in Chehalis service area; subject to lender appraisal.

• Eligible property types include Single-family detached, condo, townhouse, modular, manufactured (with land).
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Down Payment Assistance names veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, surviving spouses, and American Indian and Alaska Native buyers among the groups it serves.

• Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

Down Payment Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Multiple County, Washington.

• The program targets specific areas: Chehalis tribal service area in southwest Washington (Grays Harbor, Thurston, Lewis, Mason counties).

How do you apply?

Applications for Down Payment Assistance go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through Chehalis Tribal Housing Authority homebuyer education plus HUD-approved native homebuyer counseling (NeighborWorks/AIO).

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Apply via Chehalis Tribal Housing Authority; first-come first-served per annual NAHASDA allocation, and are subject to availability.

3. 3

   Work with a lender who handles the program

   Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.