Yakima Housing Authority (YHA) gives eligible participants in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program the option of purchasing a home with their Section 8 assistance rather than renting.
HCV participants may receive Section 8 Homeownership assistance for up to 15 years on a 20 year or longer mortgage and 10 years for mortgages less than 20 years.
In addition to Section 8 Homeownership Housing Choice Voucher monthly assistance, families may be eligible for other funding opportunities to help with down payment (except for HUD required 1% from own funds) and other closing costs.
YHA Homeownership Program is only available in the following communities in Washington State:
Yakima County includes Yakima, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato, Union Gap, Selah, Zillah, Naches, and Moxee Washington.
Kittitas County includes Kittitas, Ellensburg, Cle Elum, Roslyn, Thorp, South Cle Elum, Ronald, Easton, Vantage, & Snoqualmie Pass Washington.
Participation in the Section 8 Homeownership Program is voluntary. In addition to being an HCV (Section 8) participant in good standing, each participant must meet the following eligibility requirements:
A "first-time homeowner" means that no member of the household has had an ownership interest in any residence during the three years preceding commencement of home ownership assistance. However, a single parent or displaced homemaker who, while married, owned a home with a spouse (or resided in a home owned by a spouse) is considered a “first-time homeowner”.
The homeowner (head of household) must be employed full-time (an average of 30 hours per week) and have been continuously employed for one year prior to execution of the sales agreement., with the exception of elderly and disabled households.
The family income must be equal to or over the federal minimum hourly wage ($16.66) multiplied by 2,000 hours ($33,320), without counting income from welfare assistance sources, with the exception of elderly and disabled households.
Section 8 families must have participated in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for one year and not owe money to YHA or any other housing authority.
When you become a participant in the Section 8 Homeownership Program, you can expect:
For more information, contact:
Karen Estrada
509.508.0174
Karen.estrada@yakimahousing.org