The Department of Commerce is offering grant funding to cities to encourage production of more housing and a greater variety of housing types. The grants are intended to support actions such as development of housing action plans, municipal code changes, subarea planning, and environmental reviews.
The application deadline has been extended to February 28. More details:
- Grants of up to $100,000 are available to cities with populations over 20,000.
- Grants of up to $50,000 are available for cities with populations under 20,000.
- The total amount available is $1 million.
- Cities that received funding in the first round are not eligible to apply for more funding in the second round.
- Applicant cities must be fully planning under the Growth Management Act.
- Housing action plans must be adopted by June 15, 2021. All other actions must be adopted by April 1, 2021.
The Legislature created this grant program in 2019 (HB 1923) to help address the housing affordability crisis throughout the state. Lawmakers sought to encourage cities to select from a detailed list of land use planning activities and prioritize the creation of affordable, inclusive neighborhoods, especially in areas with frequent transit service and infrastructure that supports added residential capacity. The 2019 grant awards were announced in November.
For application materials visit Commerce’s Growth Management Grants website.
For more information contact Anne Fritzel at (360) 725-3064 or anne.fritzel@commerce.wa.gov.