Understanding the WSHFC & Covenant Homeownership Programs in Tacoma
For many people in Tacoma, the dream of owning a home can feel out of reach — especially for first-time buyers and those who have experienced systemic or historical barriers to housing access. The good news is that there are real programs designed to provide support, guidance, and financial assistance. Two of the most important come from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) — including the new Covenant Homeownership Program.
This article explains how these programs work, who may qualify, and how they may help you begin your path toward homeownership in Tacoma and surrounding Pierce County communities.
What Is the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC)?
The WSHFC provides down payment assistance, financial education, and affordable home loan options for Washington homebuyers. These programs are designed to support:
First-time homebuyers
Moderate-income households
Veterans and military families
Individuals who need guidance understanding the homebuying process
To use most WSHFC assistance programs, buyers complete a Homebuyer Education Course.
Keith has been teaching WSHFC classes for over 28 years and offers them regularly for Tacoma and Pierce County residents.
The education is free, and there is no requirement to use any particular lender or real estate company afterward. The goal is simply to help buyers feel prepared, informed, and confident.
What Is the Covenant Homeownership Program?
The Covenant Homeownership Program was created to support communities that experienced state-sanctioned housing discrimination in Washington, including redlining and racially restrictive covenants.
The program helps eligible homebuyers by providing:
Down payment assistance
Closing cost assistance
To qualify, applicants must:
Show that their family lived in Washington prior to 1968
Identify as part of a community affected by discriminatory housing laws or lending practices
This program is not about shortcuts — it is about restoring access to homeownership and long-term opportunity, especially for first-generation buyers.
Why This Matters in Tacoma
Tacoma is a city with deep history and strong neighborhoods — but like many places in Washington, not all families had equal access to homeownership over the past decades.
The Covenant Program supports Tacoma residents who:
Have rented for generations
Want to establish roots in the city
Are building financial stability for the future
Owning a home is about more than a mortgage — it’s about belonging, security, and generational momentum.
How Keith Bruce Supports Tacoma Homebuyers
Keith Bruce is a local, experienced real estate broker and Navy veteran with over 30 years of real estate experience serving communities across the Puget Sound region — including Tacoma and Pierce County.
Keith has taught WSHFC Homebuyer Education Classes since 1997, and has helped countless families:
Understand programs and eligibility
Navigate financing options
Evaluate neighborhoods and home types
Move forward confidently — at their pace
His approach is:
Calm
Straightforward
Supportive
Never rushed and never pressured
Buying a home should feel clear, not overwhelming.
If You Think a WSHFC or Covenant Loan Might Be Right for You
The first step is not an application — it’s simply a conversation.
No pressure.
No obligation.
Just clarity and guidance.
