Moscow, Idaho (January 21, 2026) — The Washington State Department of Commerce (DOC) Housing Trust Fund is awarding Palouse HFH $900,000 to offer down payment assistance to six qualifying homeowners over the next three years in rural Whitman County.

The median home price in Whitman County was $350,000 last October, which is too much for anyone making the median income to afford. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for local individuals and families with steady income, and partners with local banks to create an affordable monthly payment (no more than 30% of their monthly income). But that leaves a gap between what a moderate-income homeowner can afford and the value of the home. The down-payment assistance funds help close that gap by offering the homeowner a 0% interest loan that is eventually repaid when the homeowner sells. Palouse Habitat will use those funds to help future homeowners in Whitman County.

“We need all the tools in our toolbox if we’re going to help address the shortage of affordable housing on the Palouse,” shared Executive Director Jennifer Wallace. “This funding was made possible in large part thanks to effort by our state senator, Mark Schoesler, who has advocated that state funding support affordable homeownership as well as affordable rentals, changing a decades-long culture at the DOC that was focused on funding affordable rentals. Affordable homeownership offers both an affordable home and the chance to build long-term security.”

“In 2024, Palouse Habitat for Humanity set an ambitious goal to double our home-building capacity in response to the growing need for safe, affordable housing across the Palouse. As we enter 2026, we are wrapping up three homes and have maintained our Ramps & Rails/Home Repair program to help our neighbors age safely in their homes,” said Wallace.
Palouse Habitat was one of 43 projects funded out of over 70 applications across the state. The Hills and Rivers Housing Trust, the City of Pullman, and LC Valley Habitat for Humanity were also funded for affordable homeownership projects in Pullman and in Asotin County.

Palouse Habitat for Humanity is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, and has built simple, decent, affordable housing in Latah and Whitman counties since 1992. Palouse Habitat has three homes under construction in Palouse, Pullman and Moscow, and operates a home repair program, focused on exterior accessibility: ramps, steps, handrails, etc. To date, we’ve completed over 520 projects to help low-income homeowners have safe access to and from their homes.

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For more information on Palouse Habitat for Humanity and ways to make a difference in your community, please visit our website at palousehabitat.org, or contact Jennifer Wallace at 208-883-8502 or director@palousehabitat.org