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PHOTO BRIEF: Multigenerational AANHPI family standing in front of a Rainier Valley home — warm late-afternoon light, genuine expressions, South Seattle neighborhood visible in background. Not stock. Real family.
Rainier Valley Affordable Homeownership Initiative · Seattle Office of Housing

Your family belongs
in Rainier Valley.

Permanently affordable homes for first-time homebuyers along MLK Jr. Way South. Priority given to current and displaced Rainier Valley residents, and communities historically excluded from homeownership — including AANHPI families.

✓ Permanently affordable
✓ 80% AMI or below
✓ Community preference priority
✓ No cost or obligation to apply
✓ Free application assistance in your language
✓ City of Seattle · Sound Transit partnership
Am I eligible?

Check your eligibility in 60 seconds

You may qualify even if you're unsure. Many families think they don't qualify because of credit history, savings, or past housing challenges — but our program has paths for many situations. We never share your information without your consent.

Household size Max income
(80% AMI) Max income
(60% AMI)
1 person$77,000$57,750
2 people$88,000$66,000
3 people$99,000$74,250
4 people$110,000$82,500
5 people$118,800$89,100
6 people$127,600$95,700
2024 King County AMI figures. Based on combined gross household income before taxes.

Quick eligibility check

🏡
You may qualify for this program.
Based on what you shared, you appear to meet the basic eligibility criteria. Rainier Valley residents and those displaced from the neighborhood receive priority. The next step is to join our interest list — homes are subject to availability and released in phases. We'll contact you in your language when units open and help you prepare your full application at no cost.
Join the interest list →
📋
You might still qualify — let's talk.
Some circumstances that appear disqualifying have exceptions. Current homeowners who sold more than 3 years ago, income that varies seasonally, or debt that can be addressed through our Debt Barrier Removal Program may still qualify. Please join our list and we'll reach out to review your situation with no obligation.
Join interest list anyway →
The process

From first step to front door

A three-step path designed for AANHPI families — with free multilingual support at every stage. Homes are subject to availability; joining the interest list ensures you hear first when units open.

01

Check eligibility & join the list

Use our 60-second checker above. If you might qualify, join the interest list at no cost and no obligation. You'll receive updates in your language as homes become available.

5 minutes
02

Submit your application

Online, by phone, or in person with a case worker who speaks your language. We help you gather income verification, ID, and tax returns — don't let missing documents stop you from applying.

1–2 hours
03

Selection & homebuyer education

Selected applicants complete a homebuyer education course available in Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Tagalog. Then you meet your home and begin the path to closing day.

8–12 hours total
Our partners

Built together with community organizations rooted in Rainier Valley

City of Seattle
Office of Housing
Program funder and land provider. Sound Transit surplus sites transferred to OH at no cost to create permanently affordable homes.
Habitat for Humanity
Seattle–King & Kittitas
Co-developer and construction partner with deep experience building permanently affordable homeownership along MLK Jr. Way South.
Sound Transit
Surplus parcels transferred to the City to create transit-oriented affordable homeownership along the 1 Line light rail corridor.

All homes are developed through the Rainier Valley Affordable Homeownership Initiative (RVAHI), a partnership between the City of Seattle and Sound Transit. Homes are subject to availability. Joining the interest list does not guarantee selection or purchase. The City of Seattle's Community Preference Policy governs selection priority.

Language support

We are here in your language

Our outreach team includes staff and community partners who speak the languages of Rainier Valley. Every step of the application — from eligibility check to closing day — is available in your language.

English
English
Full support — application, counseling, and homebuyer education in English.
29,897 Seattle speakers
Tiếng Việt
Vietnamese
Hỗ trợ đầy đủ — đơn xin, tư vấn, và giáo dục mua nhà bằng tiếng Việt.
9,016 Seattle speakers
中文
Mandarin / Cantonese
全面支持——申请、咨询和购房教育均提供中文服务。
29,897 Seattle speakers
Filipino / Tagalog
Tagalog / Filipino
Buong suporta — aplikasyon, pagpapayo, at edukasyon sa pagbili ng bahay sa Filipino.
9,109 Seattle speakers
ភាសាខ្មែរ
Khmer / Cambodian
ការគាំទ្រពេញលេញ — ការដាក់ពាក្យ ការប្រឹក្សា និងការអប់រំអំពីការទិញផ្ទះ ជាភាសាខ្មែរ។
735 Seattle speakers
Soomaali
Somali
Taageero buuxda — codsiga, la-talinta, iyo waxbarashada iibsiga guriga oo Soomaali ah.
13,471 Seattle speakers (Afro-Asiatic)
Apply now

Interest list & application

Joining the interest list takes 5 minutes and commits you to nothing. Homes are subject to availability and released in phases along MLK Jr. Way South. When units open, we'll reach out in your language to walk through the full application with you.

Step 1 About You
Step 2 Household
Step 3 Housing Need
Step 4 Documents
Step 5 Submit
Tell us about yourself
All information is kept confidential. You can complete this form in any language — just select yours above.
Step 1 of 5
Your household
Tell us about everyone who will live in the home. This helps us match you to the right home size — RVAHI homes range from 1 to 4+ bedrooms.
Step 2 of 5
Your current housing situation
We ask about your housing situation to understand your need — not to judge it. There are no wrong answers. This information is kept confidential and used only to evaluate your application.
Step 3 of 5
Documents you'll need
You don't need to upload anything right now. This step shows you what to gather so you're ready when we contact you. Our team will help you collect documents in person or by phone.

Required documents (gather these before your interview)

Government-issued photo ID for all adult applicants (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
2 most recent federal tax returns for all household members with income
3 most recent pay stubs or income statements (all household earners)
3 most recent bank account statements
Documentation of any other income (SSI, disability, child support, rental income)
Landlord name and contact for rental history verification
Don't have some of these? That's okay. If you are self-employed, recently changed jobs, receive cash income, or have non-traditional documentation, our team will work with you. We have helped families in every situation — please don't let missing documents stop you from applying.
Step 4 of 5
You're almost done.
Review your information below, then submit to join the Jabooda Cares RVAHI interest list. A member of our team will contact you within 5 business days in your preferred language.
What happens after you submit:
1. You'll receive a confirmation email (or SMS in your language) within 24 hours.
2. A case worker will reach out within 5 business days to schedule a welcome call.
3. When homes become available (subject to availability — released in phases), you'll be notified by your preferred method.
4. There is no cost and no obligation until you choose to proceed to a full application.
Step 5 of 5
Common questions

Answers for the questions people don't ask out loud

What does "permanently affordable" actually mean?
Most affordable housing programs stay affordable for a fixed period — often 20 or 30 years — then return to the market. RVAHI homes are held in a community land trust (CLT), meaning the land is owned by the trust forever, and a deed restriction ensures the home stays affordable for every future buyer. When you sell, you build equity based on a formula — you gain value, but the next buyer can also afford the home. Your family builds wealth. The community keeps affordability. Both.
My credit is not good. Can I still apply?
Yes. There is no minimum credit score to apply. What matters is a history of on-time payments and no active disputes — not a perfect score. If you have debt, collections, or past financial hardship, our Debt Barrier Removal Program may be able to help address these before your application is reviewed. Apply first. Our team will tell you exactly what options exist for your situation.
I was forced to move out of Rainier Valley. Can I still get priority?
Yes. The City of Seattle's Community Preference Policy specifically includes people who have been displaced from Rainier Valley. If you or your family were priced out of the neighborhood, you retain priority consideration even if you no longer live there. We understand displacement is not a choice — this program exists partly to reverse it.
How much money do I need saved to buy one of these homes?
You need approximately 1% of the purchase price set aside at the time of application — typically between $3,000 and $7,000 depending on the home. This is significantly less than the 5–20% down payment required in conventional home purchases. Down payment assistance programs may also be available to reduce this further. Our team can help you understand all available resources.
Will I have to do construction work like Habitat for Humanity requires?
No. Unlike traditional Habitat for Humanity programs, RVAHI does not require sweat equity labor hours as a condition of purchase. Community service is encouraged and opportunities are available, but it is not a requirement. If you want to be involved in the community building process, we welcome that — but your eligibility does not depend on it.
Ready to take the first step?

Join the interest list today.

It takes 5 minutes. No cost, no obligation. Homes are subject to availability and released in phases along MLK Jr. Way South — being on the interest list ensures you hear first when units open, in your language, through the channel you prefer.

Call us: 206-395-9808

Free application assistance in EN · 中文 · Việt · Filipino · Khmer · Soomaali