Understanding the WSHFC & Covenant Homeownership Programs in Everett
For many people in Everett, the dream of homeownership can feel out of reach — especially for first-time buyers and those who have faced historical or systemic barriers to housing access in Washington. The good news is that there are real programs designed to help, and two of the most important are offered through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) — including the new Covenant Homeownership Program.
This article explains what these programs are, who they are for, and how they may help you begin your path toward homeownership in Everett and surrounding communities.
What Is the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC)?
The WSHFC provides down payment assistance, loan education, and affordable financing options for Washington homebuyers. Their programs are designed to help:
First-time homebuyers
Moderate-income households
Veterans and military families
Individuals who need guidance navigating the homebuying process
To qualify for most WSHFC programs, you complete a Homebuyer Education Course — Keith has been teaching this course for over 28 years, and offers it regularly for Everett and Snohomish County residents.
The course is free and there is no obligation to work with a specific lender or brokerage. The purpose is to help buyers feel informed, confident, and financially prepared.
What Is the Covenant Homeownership Program?
The Covenant Homeownership Program is a new initiative designed to support historically excluded communities who were denied homeownership in Washington due to past discriminatory housing practices, including redlining and restrictive covenants.
The program provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible applicants who can document family residency in Washington prior to 1968 and identify as part of a community that experienced state-sanctioned housing discrimination.
This is not a “shortcut” loan — it’s a pathway toward generational stability for families who were intentionally excluded from that opportunity for decades.
Why This Matters in Everett
Everett has a diverse history — and like much of the Puget Sound region, some neighborhoods and communities were shaped by past inequities in lending and housing access. The Covenant Program helps correct those imbalances by opening real doors to long-term home equity growth.
This is especially valuable for:
First-generation homebuyers
Families who have rented in Everett for years
Households looking to build lasting roots and stability
Homeownership doesn’t just change one life — it can shift a family’s future.
How Keith Bruce Supports Everett Homebuyers
Keith Bruce is a local, experienced real estate broker and a Navy veteran who has helped buyers in Everett for over 30 years. He has taught WSHFC Homebuyer Education Classes since 1997 and has worked closely with families using down payment assistance and affordable loan programs.
Keith’s role is simple:
Explain the programs clearly
Help identify eligibility
Guide the home search and offer process
Make sure you feel supported, not overwhelmed
This is no-pressure, real guidance — offered at your pace.
If You Think a WSHFC or Covenant Loan Might Be Right for You
The best next step is a conversation, not an application.
No obligation. No paperwork to start. No pressure.
Just clarity.
