National Housing Trust Fund Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) program complements existing federal, state and local efforts to build, preserve and rehabilitate affordable housing for families and individuals with the lowest incomes – those earning at or below 30 percent of the area median income (AMI). 

Another HUD program used to preserve and create affordable housing for low-income households is the HOME program. Learn more about HOME.

Washington's National Housing Trust Fund Program

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) administers the NHTF program in Washington State.

  • On January 30, 2015, HUD published an interim rule (FR-5246-I-03 and at 24 CFR Parts 91 and 93), which provided the guidelines for states to implement the NHTF program during the first year’s allocation.
  • HUD plans to issue the NHTF Final Rule after states have had experience administering the program and are able to offer comments regarding the initial implementation.

Funds are awarded to non-profit organizations, housing authorities, and local and tribal governments through the state Housing Trust Fund (HTF) application process.

Commerce’s NHTF program is governed by the Consolidated Plan and Action Plan. 

The Consolidated Plan is a five-year planning document required by HUD. The most recent plan is the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan. It identifies current state NHTF-funded activities, which include preservation and development of low-income rental housing.

Every spring an annual Action Plan is developed to describe how the state will use the year’s annual allocation of HUD formula funds to meet affordable housing and community development needs. Action Plans are annual amendments to the five-year Consolidated Plan and encompasses all HUD programs, including NHTF. 

State Seeking Input on Draft Action Plan for 2024 HUD Funds

The state’s 2024 Draft Action Plan is available here and is open to receive input during a 30-day public comment period. The public comment period is from April 16, 2024 until May 16, 2024, with a public hearing scheduled on April 30, 2024 – see the Consolidated Plan and Action Plan webpage for additional information.

Proposed changes drafted in the Plan include how the HUD program funds are allocated for the 2024 funding year. The Action Plan follows HUD’s template.

 

National Housing Trust Fund Handbooks

Two handbooks are available for the HOME and National Housing Trust Fund programs administered by the Department of Commerce.

Commerce, working together with a federal programs consulting specialist, created handbooks for the two federal programs. The handbooks clarify program and compliance requirements for both the HOME and National Housing Trust Fund programs.

Program Guidelines Handbook – provides insight on overall program intent, the application process, and financing terms.

Rental Management Handbook – provides detail on compliance and reporting requirements, including an expansion of Compliance and Asset Management for the programs.

Program links

Resources

Section 3 Resources

Helpful Links

Need help?

General Inquiries
Shawn Slape
shawn.slape@commerce.wa.gov
360-764-6144

Compliance Asset Management Supervisor
Teri Lawless
Teri.Lawless@commerce.wa.gov
360-725-5057