• First-Time Homeowner Assistance
• Down Payment Assistance
• Sr/Disabled Persons Home Repair
• Neighborhood Clean-Up/Improvement
• Homeownership Through New Construction
• Exterior Paint
• Single Family Rehabilitation

FTH Assistance Program  - This program provides affordable homes for qualified first time homebuyers in the city limits. Applicants who have a good credit rating, no current judgments and are low to moderate income (see income guidelines) may receive a partial deferment on their home loan of up to $30,000.

Other restrictions may apply. Contact ONDS for further details.

Down Payment Assistance Program(DPA) - This program provides financial assistance of up to $4000 for down payment and closing costs associated with qualified first-time homebuyers (see income guidelines) in Yakima City limits.

Buyer Qualifications

• Applicants' family income must be 80% or less of the area median income.
• Applicants must be first-time homeowners (not having owned a home in the last three years or a displaced homeowner).
• Applicant must complete homeownership training through available Washington State Housing Finance Commission approved classes prior to closing.
• Applicants work with a realtor to select home and lender financing.

• Home must meet code (evidenced by FHA/VA or other inspection) or buyer may obtain private financing to include rehabilitation cost.
• Home must be owner-occupied or vacant at least 90 days (city will supply certification for owner to sign) or a current tenant may purchase if qualified.

SENIOR/DISABLED PERSONS HOME REPAIR PROGRAM  - The Senior/Disabled Home repair program was established over 20 years ago. The average grant awarded is approximately $2500 per home and has a lifetime benefit limit. Due to limited funding not all repairs may qualify if the cost is found excessive to complete. All areas in need of repair are evaluated during the initial home inspection with health, safety and weatherization-related repairs given the highest priority. Homeowners must be at 65% or below Federal Median Income guidelines and asset levels must be $10,000 or below, not including the home or primary vehicle.

Repair assistance is also available for approved emergency home repairs. This program is limited to specific types of repairs only with a $500 repair limit. The City of Yakima strongly supports preserving our neighborhoods and provides this service at no cost to qualified low-income senior/disabled homeowners.

Exterior Paint Program  is a special program also available to qualified homeowners to paint the exteriors of their homes. Volunteers from Habitat for Humanity provide the volunteer labor and the Office of Neighborhood Development Services provides the qualified applicants, supervision and materials needed to complete the jobs. This program stretches limited resources by using donated labor to improve neighborhoods one house at a time.

All program applicants must be 55 years of age or older or disabled as defined by Social Security guidelines. (There is no age limit for qualified disabled homeowners.) You must also own or be purchasing your own home and live in it on a year round basis. (Rental Property does not qualify.) This home must be located within the city limits of the City of Yakima.

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP/IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - This program provides funds to assist neighborhoods in correcting Municipal Code violations that have resulted in the issuance of a citation from a City of Yakima Code Compliance Officer. The Office of Neighborhood Development Services will provide a match in dollars to assist in the total cost of abatement of a violation up to a maximum of $500. The program is available to use only one time per resident.

HOMEOWNERSHIP THROUGH NEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM - This program was implemented in 1998 to provide newly constructed homes in the city limits. for low to medium income first-time homebuyers. The program provides set-aside funds to assist the developer and the homebuyer.

SENIOR/DISABLED EXTERIOR PAINT PROGRAM - In 2003 a total of 19 homes were painted through the Senior/Disabled Exterior Paint Program. These homes were professionally prepared for painting by a licensed, bonded contractor, who scraped and cleaned the existing surfaces free of loose and chipping paint.
Paint colors were chosen by the individual homeowners and the paint was then applied by individual local volunteers as well as volunteers from such agencies as Habitat For Humanity and several local churches.
Volunteers are always welcome to join us in helping our community look its best. To volunteer as either an individual or to schedule a group to paint a Senior/Disabled person's home, please call Neighborhood Development services at 575-6101 and ask to speak to Senior Program Supervisor, Archie M. Matthews.

SINGLE FAMILY REHABILITATION PROGRAM  - This program provides funds to assist low to moderate-income homeowners to rehabilitate their home. The Single Family Rehabilitation Program will assist in bringing a home up to current local codes, and/or address housing needs to meet their family size.

• The applicant must be below 80% of the current Federal Median Income Guidelines.
• The home is to be located in the city limits of Yakima.
• Home must be owner occupied.
• Homeowner must have property insured.
• Homes must pass visual assessment for deteriorated paint.
• Applicant must not have filed bankruptcy with the last 3 years and have no accounts owing in collection.
• Applicant must by a U.S. Citizen or have Permanent Resident status.
• Applicant's total debt income must not exceed 40% of monthly income.