Many people in our state need a safe and affordable place to live. Some groups face more challenges than others, such as rural communities, by-and-for organizations, and Black, Indigenous and Persons of Color (BIPOC) groups. Commerce is working to ensure access to housing is fair and equitable for everyone through the Housing Trust Fund (HTF).

To do this, Commerce’s Capacity Building, Outreach and Support (CBOS) team is working to expand the capacity of new, underserved and by-and-for organization, serving rural area and marginalized groups. The goal is to increase these organizations access to the HTF to develop affordable housing in their communities. This new program offers predevelopment technical assistance tailored to the needs of each organization.

Affordable Housing Predevelopment Technical Assistance

Commerce staff and consultants are available to work with groups to plan successful projects focused on developing housing for very low and low-income persons. Technical assistance services are prioritized for organizations serving BIPOC; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Transgender, and other-gender diverse populations; organizations serving marginalized communities, and organizations serving rural areas.   Technical assistance activities vary based on the needs of each organization and community, but may include:

• project planning,
• financing strategy,
• site planning and design, and
• Feasibility analysis.

If you are interested in this program, complete our technical assistance inquiry form so that our team can connect you to the appropriate resource or consultant or for more information reach out to HTFCapacityBuilding@commerce.wa.gov.

Affordable Housing Trainings

Commerce is working to develop new affordable housing training resources to equip organizations with the knowledge and expertise that they need to pursue affordable housing development. Stay tuned for more information on these by signed up for our email updates.

In the meantime, here are a few existing external resources for affordable housing training:

• Housing Washington: In partnership with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission; Commerce; and Washington State Low Income Housing Alliance, this conference brings together affordable housing professionals striving to create and promote affordable housing solutions throughout the State. Recording of previous conference sessions are available.
• Grow America: offers a six-part affordable housing development webinar series to assist housing developers with additional experience the tools to manage and comply with affordable housing process. The six-part training series  includes session on understanding the development process; lending and underwriting; understanding the market; design and sustainability; gap financing; and LIHTC.

Affordable Housing Predevelopment Grants

Small grants will be available through the Planning and Predesign Capital Equity Program at Commerce that is designed for both affordable housing and community facilities.  These grants will be announced in spring 2024. Applicants seeking to develop both are encouraged to apply.  The Housing Division will also administer a small predevelopment grant program. Notices will be published about the timing and fund availability via the newsletter.