The Department of Commerce’s new Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) is accepting applications for sewer, water, or stormwater improvements and/or waived system development charges for new affordable housing projects now through
January 7.
Grant requirements
- Applicants must be a city, county, or public utility district in partnership with an affordable housing project.
- The city or county must have imposed a sales and use tax for affordable housing (see page 4 of the guidelines for details)
- The new housing development must include at least 25% affordable units, which must have a strong probability of serving the target group for at least 25 years.
- The affordable housing development must begin construction within 24 months of the grant award.
- Federal funds must be under contract by December 2024 and expended by December 2026. Projects funded with state resources must be completed by June 2025 pending legislative re-appropriations.
- Where applicable, the extension for new drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater connections must be consistent with the approved comprehensive plans under the Growth Management Act and must be within the established boundaries of the Urban Growth Area.
A total of $34.6 million is available for grants of up to $2.5 million. No match is required but the applicant must demonstrate that all funding to complete the affordable housing project is committed prior to contract execution.
The CHIP Program Guidelines contains complete grant program details, including the list of application questions.