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).
- NHTF was created as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).
- NHTF is a dedicated program, not subject to Congressional appropriations.
Funding for the NHTF comes from an assessment on loans made by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. - 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.
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.
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 2015-2019 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.
National Housing Trust Fund Handbooks
Two new handbooks are now 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
- Applying to the Housing Trust Fund
- HOME Program
- National Housing Trust Fund Program
- Housing Preservation Program
- Operations and Maintenance Program
- Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard
- Policy Advisory Team
- Annual Reporting
- Housing Trust Fund Handbook
- Property Management Resources
- Housing Trust Fund Reports
- Resources & Trainings
Resources
- HOME & NHTF Program Guidelines Handbook (PDF)
- HOME & NHTF Rental Management Handbook (PDF)
- Maximum Per-Unit Subsidy Limits (PDF)
- HTF/HOME/NHTF Rent & Income Limits (PDF)
- NHTF Program Lease Addendum (Word)
- NHTF Overview Presentation – 2016 (PDF)
- 2017 NHTF Allocation Plan (PDF)
- 2016 NHTF Allocation Plan (PDF)
- 2016 NHTF Allocation Plan Comments (PDF)
Section 3 Resources
Helpful Links
Need help?
General Inquiries
Jessica Robertson
jessica.robertson@commerce.wa.gov
360-725-3133
Compliance/Property Management Inquiries
TyeRae Guined
tyerae.guined@commerce.wa.gov
360-725-2704