Commerce makes $4.4m in awards to preserve affordable housing

Three (3) awarded projects will preserve seventy (70) units of affordable housing

The Washington State Department of Commerce is announcing investments in three properties that will protect the affordability of housing in rural communities. The funds will help preserve multifamily rental units in projects that are at risk of losing their affordability due to expiration of use restrictions.

The funding was appropriated by the Legislature in ESSB 5200, Section 1022(5). Applications were solicited under the 2023 Continuing Affordability NOFA #MHU-2023-05, published in October of 2023, which provided specific information regarding eligibility, funding requirements and priorities, the process for applying, and dates of significance. Six applications were received.

The review of applications was prioritized around five criteria: location and scarcity, urgency, readiness to proceed, number of units to be preserved, and projects having secured federal rental assistance.

The total development cost for the awarded projects is approximately $8.1 million. These projects will preserve 70 affordable housing units, 100% of which will retain federal rental assistance as a direct result of these funds.

• Review the 2023 Continuing Affordability NOFA. (#MHU-2023-05) here
• The list of applications received can be found here.
• The list of awarded projects can be found here.

These projects provide critical housing to some of Washington’s most vulnerable populations. Preservation of existing affordable housing is a critical part of the Multifamily Housing Unit’s vision to make conditions in our state for affordable housing residents the best in the nation, addressing the affordable housing crisis and reducing homelessness in permanent and sustainable ways.

Commerce makes awards to preserve and repair 873 units of affordable housing

$19.8 million awards will help make essential repairs in 14 counties across the state

Through the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU), Commerce administers capital programs to finance the production and preservation of affordable housing in Washington.

The MHU released a 2023 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) soliciting applications from current Housing Trust Fund (HTF) projects in need of major repairs or system replacements. Seventy-two applications were received, totaling more than $56 million.

The applications were evaluated based on their eligibility, and the urgency of physical repairs. Those projects with urgent needs that could lead to health and safety issues for tenants and that could not self-finance were prioritized. The Housing Preservation Program (HPP) is funding thirty-one applications totaling $19.8 million which will preserve 873 affordable housing units.

View the awards on the Department of Commerce Box. (PDF)

These projects provide critical housing to some of Washington’s most vulnerable populations. Preservation of existing affordable housing ensures that affordable housing across the state is able to serve communities for generations.

You can always find the latest information about Housing Trust Fund awards and funding availability at the Applying to the Housing Trust Fund webpage.

Commerce makes $264m in state awards to construct affordable housing

48 awarded projects will create 3,443 units of affordable housing

The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced historic investments to address the urgent need for affordable housing in communities throughout Washington state. Lack of affordable housing and sufficient supportive housing options for vulnerable populations are top contributors to chronic homelessness.

View the awards list on the Department of Commerce Box. (PDF)

The awards were in response to applicants to the 2023 HTF Multifamily Rental NOFA.

10 projects received $24.3 million set aside to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These projects will create 155 units of accessible housing reserved for low-income people with these disabilities across the state.

Seven projects were funded with $58.6 million set aside for the Apple Health & Homes (AHAH) program, creating 144 units for AHAH participants and 354 total units of permanent supportive housing. AHAH is a multi-agency effort that pairs healthcare services with housing resources for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. The program is based in the concept that lack of housing is a social determinant of health, and individuals with disabling conditions such as medical, behavioral health, and physical impairments may not improve until their housing is stable.

Five projects received the first commitment of Transit-Oriented Development funding through the TOD Partnership Match program.  In partnership with WSDOT and the Amazon Housing Equity Fund, the program emphasized commitments to projects in the existing pipeline, and this first investment of $28.8M will advance 1,054 housing units in dense, walkable communities. 

11 projects were selected for $56.3 million in investments in rural communities, including in two instances projects are receiving a larger investment that was needed to replace a gap caused by the oversubscription of low income housing tax credit resources.  While rural applicants had a higher success rate, the overall investment did not reach the 30% target due to limitations of the funding sources.  The Housing Division’s Capacity Building Outreach and Support program has mobilized technical assistance providers to continue spurring viable projects in these communities.

Commerce makes $9.5m in federal awards to construct affordable housing

5 awarded projects will create 395 units of affordable housing

The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced historic investments to address the urgent need for affordable housing in communities throughout Washington state. Lack of affordable housing and sufficient supportive housing options for vulnerable populations are top contributors to chronic homelessness.

View the awards list on the Department of Commerce Box. (PDF)

The 2023 homeownership funding round received 48 applications seeking $94.4 Million in total requested funds to create 943 affordable homeownership units. This is an increase of 41% in total funds requested from the 2022 funding round.

View the list of applications and applicants (PDF).

The Homeownership Unit awards capital funding to eligible agencies that assist households with low incomes to realize the dream of homeownership through various models such as down payment assistance, self-help new construction, and community land trusts throughout Washington.

The Department of Commerce is accepting applications for Homeownership projects that plan to seek capital funding in the 2023 competitive funding cycle.

Applications may be submitted for down payment assistance revolving loan fund (RLF), affordability subsidy grants, capitalization grants, self-help projects, short-term production loans, and developer subsidies for long-term or permanent affordable resale restricted programs (such as Community Land Trusts or deed-restricted programs), and any other HTF eligible project types.

Please download and read the 2023 Notice of Funding Availability and application materials for complete details.

$10.27 million awarded to 4 projects to create 216 new units

The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded $10.27 million to 4 affordable housing projects that will generate 216 units from the 2023 HOME & National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) funding round.

View the list of awards here.

2023 HOME & NHTF funding was made available for applicants interested in creating multifamily/rental housing with capital financing from the federal HOME & NHTF programs.

Commerce received 11 applications for the 2023 HOME & NHTF funding round, for a total request of $24.3 million.

View the list of applications here.

The 2023 HOME & NHTF NOFA (#MHU-2023-01) identified specific funding requirements and priorities, the process for applying, and dates of significance for applicants.

If you have questions about this funding round, please submit them to htfapp@commerce.wa.gov.

Commerce commits $83.5 million to address homelessness through affordable housing construction

First-ever Apple Health & Homes Capital Program funding plus additional loans and grants advance new projects to serve people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in communities across Washington state

Olympia, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce announced new funding awards totaling $83.5 million that will work to provide affordable housing opportunities in communities across the state.

The new Office of Apple Health & Homes and Commerce’s Multifamily Housing Unit awarded $43.7 million to create 484 multifamily housing units. Commerce is reserving 113 units for permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness and health/behavioral health challenges. Performance-based contracts require that the new housing units created with this funding remain in service for the intended purpose for at least 40 years. Over 10 percent of these funds are going to an organization dedicated to serving marginalized populations.

“These capital investments will help fund the most important step in healthy recovery for individuals across the state who need it most and improve healthcare outcomes for Medicaid recipients,” said Corina Grigoras, Assistant Director for Commerce’s Housing Division.

See the list of Apple Health and Homes awardees. [Box PDF]

In addition, $39.8 million remaining from the Rapid Capital Housing Program will fund projects on the Hosuiung Trust Fund’s wait list from prior funding rounds to keep the state’s affordable housing pipeline strong for years. Construction will be able to move forward on 291 new affordable housing units thanks to the awards announced today. Previously unallocated rapid capital funds will be applied to projects in state regions that had not previously accessed these funds.

Projects in small communities from Walla Walla and Mattawa in Eastern Washington to Raymond and Lopez Island in Western Washington will now be able to proceed. With these awards, Commerce fully funds all the projects that received partial funding last year.

See the list of waitlist projects awarded funding. [Box PDF]

“Commerce used extensive public input from stakeholders, other public funders and legislatively authorized flexibility to fund the waitlist and move projects toward the finish line,” Grigoras said. “We distributed funding to ensure that every region of the state receives needed resources to tackle our state’s affordable housing crisis.”

The Department of Commerce Homeownership Unit received 44 applications consisting of Down Payment Assistance and New Construction requests to assist low-income homebuyers with homeownership opportunities. 

View the list of applications and recipients.

Background

The Homeownership unit awards capital funding to eligible agencies that assist low-income households in securing the dream of homeownership through various models such as Down Payment Assistance, self-help new construction, and community land trusts throughout Washington.

This solicitation round is now open. Applications are due by NOON on Jan. 19, 2023.

The Department of Commerce is accepting applications for Homeownership projects that plan to seek capital funding in the 2022 competitive funding cycle.

Applications may be submitted for down payment assistance, revolving loan fund (RLF) capitalization grants, self-help projects, short-term production loans, and developer subsidies for long-term or permanent affordable resale restricted programs (such as Community Land Trusts or deed restricted programs), and any other HTF eligible project types.

Please download and read the 2022 Notice of Funding Availability and application materials for complete details.

60 applications received requesting $237.2 million. Awards will be announced in December 2022.

Department of Commerce received 60 applications for projects seeking $237.2 million in capital funding to develop affordable housing for people with low incomes in Washington State. The Housing Trust Fund administers a competitive process to allocate the State’s investments in coordination with other public funders.

Most require funding from other public and/or private sources, including the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC), which administers two federally funded Low Income Housing Tax Credit programs (4% and 9%). A regional breakdown of the request follows:

• 22 projects in King County, seeking $93M to produce 1,981 units
• 24 projects in non-King County Urban areas, seeking $93M to produce 1,300 units
• 14 projects in non-King County Rural areas, seeking $51M to produce 579 units

Click here to view the list of applications received during the 2022 Traditional HTF funding round.

Applications were accepted for Multifamily/Rental projects seeking capital financing from the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, and were due to the Department of Commerce on September 13, 2022.

The 2022 Traditional HTF Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) detailed specific information regarding funding requirements and priorities, the process for submitting an application, and dates of significance.

Four (4) applications received requesting $12.9 million. Awards will be announced in December 2022.

Department of Commerce received four (4) applications for projects seeking a total of $12.9 million in capital funding to develop affordable housing for people with low incomes in Washington State. The Multifamily Housing Unit administers a competitive process to allocate the State’s investments in coordination with other public funders.

The proposed projects represent a $15.6 million investment in affordable housing in Washington and require funding other public and private sources.

Click here to view the list of applications received during the 2022 Community Housing/Cottage Communities funding round.

Applications were due to the Department of Commerce on September 13, 2022.

The 2022 Community Housing/Cottage Communities Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) detailed specific information regarding funding requirements and priorities, the process for submitting an application, and dates of significance.

$9.7 million requested to create 173 units. Award announcements anticipated for December, 2022.

Department of Commerce received three (3) applications for the 2022 HOME & NHTF funding round. The total request of $1,917,789 in HOME funds and $7,793,666 in NHTF funds would support the creation of up to 173 units of affordable housing.

Click here to view the list of applications received.

Award announcements are anticipated for December, 2022.

The 2022 HOME & NHTF NOFA (#HFU-2022-05) identified specific funding requirements and priorities, the process for applying, and dates of significance for applicants.

The 2022 HOME & NHTF NOFA was primarily intended for applicants seeking to build new affordable housing units to increase the affordable housing stock in Washington. Preservation and acquisition of existing housing were also eligible, but not the primary focus of this NOFA.

If you have questions about this funding round or the list of applications received, please submit them to htfapp@commerce.wa.gov.

$77.9 million awarded to acquire seven properties for rapid conversion

Funding will create 390 units of housing 

Department of Commerce has awarded approximately $77.9 million in grants to seven affordable housing projects throughout the state in the first 2022 round of the Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition (RCHA) program.

This funding will create 390 units of affordable housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These include five new apartment buildings, one hotel in Yakima and one single family home to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

View the list of awards (Box)

View the list of applications received (Box)

View a map of awarded projects (Tableau)

Additionally, three projects requesting $8.5 million have been wait-listed pending evaluation of due diligence and/or availability of funding after the next round.

The RCHA program provides funding to acquire real property for rapid conversion into enhanced emergency shelters, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, permanent housing, youth housing or shelter for people with extremely low incomes and people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in Washington state. The program helps organizations acquire properties capable of housing people swiftly with minimal updates and with evidence of local support.

The 2022 Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition NOFA (#MHU-2022-05) (Box documents) identified specific funding requirements and priorities, the process for applying, and dates of significance for applicants.

Commerce awards $6.2 million for the preservation of affordable multifamily housing

The Washington State Department of Commerce is committed to building communities by preserving affordable multifamily housing in our state.  Commerce awards $6.2 million in total to three projects at risk of losing affordability as part of its ongoing mission.

Commerce, through the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU), received $10,000,000 in the 2021-2023 Capital Budget for the preservation of affordable multifamily housing projects at risk of losing affordability. Three percent (3%) of the funds were reserved for administration costs, and two projects were awarded $3.5 million of the available funding in the 2021 funding round. A 2022 funding round solicitation was provided for the remaining funds.

Commerce made the 2022 funding rounds announcement on April 14, 2022, and opened applications on a first-come, first-serve basis on May 12. Commerce received five eligible applications, requesting $13.2 million.

The review process for these applications were prioritized under five criteria: location and scarcity, urgency, readiness to proceed, number of units to be preserved, and projects having secured federal rental assistance.

Three projects were awarded $6.2 million in total, two of them in a rural area of the state.

The total development cost for the awarded projects is approximately $47.8 million. These projects will preserve 216 affordable housing units, 32.4% of which (70 units) will retain federal rental assistance through USDA as a direct result of these funds.

Review the 2022 Continuing Affordability NOFA. (#HFU-2022-01)

The list of applications received can be found here.

The list of awarded projects can be found here.

These projects provide critical housing to some of Washington’s most vulnerable populations. Preservation of existing affordable housing is a critical part of the Multifamily Housing Unit’s vision to make conditions in our state for affordable housing residents the best in the nation, addressing the affordable housing crisis and reducing homelessness in permanent and sustainable ways.

Applications were accepted from March 16 – April 16, 2022. Awards are anticipated to be announced on June 1, 2022.

Department of Commerce is happy to announce a new solicitation for applications, for the 2023 State Fiscal Year, from qualified owners/operators of permanent supportive housing (PSH) projects for funding of operating and maintenance costs, as well as reimbursement for the cost of supportive services offered to clients in PSH units.

Qualified applicants must own or operate multi-family housing projects funded by the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, or other public capital funding sources. 

Download the 2023 PSH-OMS Notice of Funding Availability (PDF) (NOFA #23-46411) to review the specific requirements to apply. If you have questions about this funding opportunity, reach out to the NOFA coordinator at OMSCoordinator@commerce.wa.gov. 

$33.2 million awarded to 9 projects to create or preserve 843 units

The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded $33.2 million to 9 affordable housing projects that will generate approximately 843 units from the 2021 Traditional HTF – Bond 4% Tax Credit funding round.

View the list of awards here.

2021 Traditional HTF – Bond 4% Tax Credit funding was made available to applicants interested in creating new, affordable multifamily/rental housing utilizing financing from the Washington Housing Trust Fund and the Bond/4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.

Commerce received 20 applications for the 2021 Traditional HTF – Bond/4% Tax Credit funding round, for a total request of $89.8 million.

View the list of applications received here.

The 2021 Traditional HTF – Bond/4% Tax Credit NOFA (#HFU-2021-06) identified specific funding requirements and priorities, the process for applying, and dates of significance for applicants.

If you have questions about this funding round, please submit them to htfapp@commerce.wa.gov.

$13.3 million awarded to 5 projects to create 296 new units

The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded $13.3 million to 5 affordable housing projects that will generate 296 units from the 2021 HOME & National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) funding round.

View the list of awards here.

2021 HOME & NHTF funding was made available for applicants interested in creating multifamily/rental housing with capital financing from the federal HOME & NHTF programs.

Commerce received 5 applications for the 2021 HOME & NHTF funding round, for a total request of $15.5 million.

View the list of applications here.

The 2021 HOME & NHTF NOFA (#HFU-2021-05) identified specific funding requirements and priorities, the process for applying, and dates of significance for applicants.

If you have questions about this funding round, please submit them to htfapp@commerce.wa.gov.

42 projects awarded $20 million to preserve 1,192 units.

Department of Commerce awarded $20.4 million to projects seeking capital funding to preserve affordable housing in the Housing Trust Fund portfolio.

The list of awarded projects can be viewed here.

Applications were considered for existing Housing Trust Fund multifamily rental projects seeking preservation funding. Commerce received 57 applications from projects seeking funding for preservation of approximately 1,400 units in the Housing Trust Fund portfolio, for a total request of $41 million.

The list of applications received can be viewed here.

The 2021 HTF Housing Preservation Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) identified specific information regarding funding requirements and priorities, the process for submitting an application, and dates of significance. 

Learn more about the HTF Housing Preservation program here: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/housing/housing-preservation-program/

Please send inquiries about the HTF Housing Preservation Program to htfhpp@commerce.wa.gov.

$51.3 million awarded to acquire 10 properties that will create 487 units

Department of Commerce awarded approximately $51.3 million in grants to 10 affordable housing projects throughout the state through Phase II of the Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition (RCHA) program. The complete list is available here.

The RCHA program offers capital funding to acquire real property for rapid conversion into enhanced emergency shelters, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, permanent housing, youth housing, drop-in center, or shelter for people with extremely low incomes, as well as people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness, in Washington State.

The 2021 Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition NOFA (#HFU-2021-03) identified specific funding requirements and priorities, the process for applying, and dates of significance for applicants.

Phase I of the RCHA program was limited to organizations acquiring properties capable of housing people swiftly with minimal updates and evidence of local support.

Phases II of the RCHA program allowed for acquisition and rehabilitation activities with occupancy requirements within a specified period of time.

Funding for this program is now fully expended. Phase III of the RCHA program is postponed until further notice.

$80 million awarded to create or preserve 1,447 units

Department of Commerce awarded approximately $80 million in grants and loans for affordable housing projects in communities across the state. These funds will help create or preserve an estimated 1,281 multifamily rental units and provide assistance for 166 first time homebuyers. Funding comes from the state’s Housing Trust Fund (HTF), solicited under the 2021 Traditional HTF & Cottages NOFA (#HFU-2021-02).

Click here to view the 2021 Traditional HTF & Cottages Awards

This is a historic level of commitment to housing access in our state, but there is more demand remaining. In addition to the awarded projects, there were 39 projects seeking $175 million in additional funding. This represents a large number of nonprofits and housing authorities with the capacity to deliver more units of permanent supportive housing, and quality affordable housing in communities across the state. Commerce is prepared to put additional funds to use in our community.

A few highlights from the awards include:

• 249 units of affordable housing to be developed in rural areas of our state;
• Over 500 units to house people who are experiencing homelessness;
• 135 units to serve people with chronic mental illness;
• 166 homes provided to first-time homebuyers;
• An average of $5 dollars leveraged for each state dollar invested.

85 applications were received for projects seeking $283 million in capital funding to develop affordable housing for people with low incomes in Washington State. The Housing Trust Fund administers a competitive process to allocate the State’s investments in coordination with other public funders. This biennium, the capital budget allocated $155 million in state bond proceeds, roughly 15% is reserved for direct appropriations or projects impacted by recent escalations in material and labor pricing.

The 2021 Traditional HTF/Cottages Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) detailed specific information regarding funding requirements and priorities, the process for submitting an application, and dates of significance.

$3.5 million awarded to preserve 58 multifamily rental units

Department of Commerce awarded approximately $3.5 million in grants for two (2) affordable housing projects in rural areas of the state. See the complete list here.

These funds will help preserve an estimated 58 multifamily rental units in projects that are at risk of losing their affordability due to expiration of use restrictions. Funding comes from the state’s Housing Trust Fund, solicited under the 2021 Continuing Affordability NOFA #HFU-2021-01 in June 2021. The list of applications received in response to the NOFA can be viewed here.

The 2021 Continuing Affordability Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) outlined specific information regarding eligibility, funding requirements and priorities, the process for applying, and dates of significance.

Commerce intends to reopen the Continuing Affordability opportunity later in 2021. If you have questions about any of the information in this announcement, please send your inquiries to: htfapp@commerce.wa.gov. Please be certain to indicate in the subject line of your email that your question is related to the Continuing Affordability NOFA.

$397 million anticipated to be requested in 2021/2022 funding rounds

On February 18, 2021, the Department of Commerce released a solicitation for pre-applications (FKA: Stage 1) to survey the need for the upcoming 2021 and 2022 Housing Trust Fund (HTF) funding cycles. Applications were due on March 25, 2021.

Commerce received 159 submittals in response to the 2021/2022 Pre-Application Solicitation. The total request finds $397 million needed for the construction or preservation of almost 8,772 units of affordable housing, including 126 shelter beds. The list of 2021/2022 pre-applications received is available at the link below.

2021/2022 HTF Pre-Applications Received

Submittals were received for multifamily/rental projects, homeownership-type projects, shelters, preservation of existing affordable housing (HTF portfolio or otherwise), projects utilizing innovative production methods (modular, tiny homes, cottages, etc.), and other HTF eligible project types.

The submittals will not be scored, nor will funding decisions for projects be made based on these pre-applications. Rather, they will be used to showcase the statewide need and project pipeline for the Housing Trust Fund in the upcoming 2021 and 2022 competitive funding cycles.

The 2021/2022 Pre-Application Solicitation can be viewed here.

The announcement for the next competitive funding round is scheduled for June 2021, pending the passage of the 2021-2023 Biennial Budget.

If your project is located in a CDBG non-entitlement jurisdiction and needs funding for off-site* infrastructure work or related community facilities, please visit the CDBG Specialty Grants page for information regarding the CDBG program, the required partnership with the local government, and other requirements. 
*The Housing Trust Fund cannot pay for off-site infrastructure costs.