The 2024 Supplemental Capital Budget (2023-2025) appropriated funding for “Affordable housing urgent repair grants to be provided on an ongoing basis.” This funding aims to address nonrecurring repair projects such as the repair of units or buildings, the abatement of potentially hazardous materials, and safety-related structural improvements for affordable housing.

“Affordable housing,” for this program, includes:

• Permanent supportive housing as defined in RCW 36.70A.030
• Multifamily affordable housing projects in the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) portfolio

The program guidelines, reflecting Commerce’s implementation plan, are available here.

Public comments will be accepted via email at HTFStakeholderCommunications@commerce.wa.gov through August 23, 2024.

A public forum was held on July 31, 2024. The recording and slides from the presentation are available here.

Housing Repair Fund Focus
The fund is designated for nonrecurring, urgent repairs requiring immediate action. Eligible projects must address uninhabitable units, resolve health and safety concerns for tenants, or ensure universal access for all populations.

Eligible Applicants
Applicants must have a project in the HTF portfolio or have received funding from another public capital funding source. They must be Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) providers with a contractual obligation to provide PSH through an operating or capital contract.

Eligible and Ineligible Costs
Eligible costs include architectural/engineering fees, environmental site assessments, hazardous abatement, major appliances, safety-related structural improvements, and more. Ineligible costs encompass operational and service expenses, administrative costs, and replacements due to age without immediate risk to health, safety, or habitability.

Funding Limits
Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a funding limit of up to $200,000 per property. The HTF Repair Fund will ensure a minimum reservation of $250,000 for each region to support statewide participation.

Opportunities to comment:

• Public Forum 
  Date: July 31, 2024
  The recording and slides from the presentation are available here.
• Email
  HTFStakeholderCommunications@commerce.wa.gov (through August 23, 2024). Use the subject line “HTF Repair Fund” in your email.