Rapid housing conversion
The Department of Commerce Housing Finance Unit just announced a new solicitation for projects seeking capital funding from the state Housing Trust Fund to acquire or rent real property in Washington state for rapid conversion to
- enhanced emergency shelters,
- permanent supportive housing,
- transitional housing,
- permanent housing,
- youth housing,
- drop-in center, or
- shelter for people with extremely low incomes, and people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness.
Applications will be solicited in three phases. Phase 1 applications are due to Commerce by noon, Aug. 5, 2021. Phase 1 award announcements are expected in September 2021. See 2021 Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for detailed information regarding funding requirements and priorities, the process for submitting an application and dates of significance.
Preserving affordable housing
The Legislature appropriated $10 million to the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) during the 2021 legislative session, solely for the preservation of affordable multifamily rental housing that is at risk of losing affordability due to expiration of use restrictions
that otherwise require affordability for low-income households.
The Department of Commerce’s Housing Finance Unit has just released the grant notice and application materials. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting on July 1, 2021, and until all available funds are exhausted.
The maximum funding amount is $2,500,000 per project unless a waiver is sought and has been approved before the end of the technical assistance period on June 17. Entities may submit multiple project applications for funding consideration that exceed
$2.5 million. See notice of funding availability (NOFA) for details. The NOFA contains information regarding eligibility, funding
requirements and priorities, the process for applying, and dates of significance.
If you have any questions, send an email to htfapp@commerce.wa.gov with Continuing affordability NOFA in the subject line.