Applications open now for affordable housing funds

OLYMPIA — Applications are available for affordable housing capital in Washington, according to a statement from the Washington State Department of Commerce.

On Wednesday, the Commerce Department opened applications for more than $302 million, the state’s largest single funding round to date, the statement said. Funds are available to eligible non-profits, local governments, community housing development agencies, tribal governments and housing authorities. Over $290 million comes from the Washington Legislature’s historic appropriation for the 2023-25 biennium, including a $24.2 million set aside for projects serving persons with disabilities and $107.4 million from the Apple Health and Homes program.

“Stable housing is the foundation for self-sufficiency,” Commerce Director Mike Fong wrote in the statement. “These historic investments are crucial to tackling a decades-long deficit in housing that is affordable and available to those who need it most.”

The new investments, expected to be announced in December, will align with the 2023-25 investment strategy for affordable housing projects, the statement said. The strategy explains how Commerce plans to administer the funds and was recently updated and released today, following months of input from the public, community partners and stakeholders.

In addition to the state Housing Trust Fund applications, another $12.4 million is available from federal National Housing Trust Fund and HOME program funds administered in Washington state by Commerce, according to the statement. This funding will also support multifamily rental housing projects across the state.

Commerce is hosting in-person and virtual workshops for potential applicants in July and August, according to the statement. To learn more, visit the Housing Trust Fund Resources and Trainings webpage at https://bit.ly/431TKeD.