Now accepting applications for the second round of Law Enforcement Vehicle Pursuit Technology Grant Program The Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention/Community Safety Unit is soliciting applications from Washington state law enforcement agencies. This is the second round of funding through the Law Enforcement Vehicle Pursuit Technology Grant Program. The purpose of the RFP is to provide law enforcement agencies with modern vehicle pursuit…
Request for Proposals Culturally Specific Sexual Assault Services & Prevention Activities The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) is announcing a competitive request for proposals (RFP) to support efforts to provide culturally specific services for people affected by sexual assault. Eligible applicants must be by and for the communities they serve. This is a competitive RFP process with funding available from July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027. Applicants may…
Housing Investment Team Spotlight With the announcement of historic awards from the Housing Trust Fund, we wanted to take the time to highlight the leadership of the Housing Investment Team at the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU). This brand-new team is now a unified group that designs and administers our funding rounds, provides technical assistance throughout the application process, and helps orient MHU’s funding towards racial equity, balance of investment to…
The Department of Commerce has published final model ordinances and guidance for cities and counties required to include middle housing under HB 1110 (2023). To account for differing middle housing requirements based on population, one model ordinance has been prepared to assist cities 25,000 in population and greater; another for those cities less than 25,000 in population. Final Model Ordinance for cities 25,000 and over (PDF) Final Model Ordinance for…
Commerce has $1 million in funding available for the current 2023-25 biennium to help counties and cities plan together for their lowest income housing needs through their upcoming comprehensive plans, consolidated plans, homelessness plans and other efforts. Grants are available to a county or a city planning department, a homeless housing lead or similar designated department within a local government, or a local non-profit provider of affordable housing or homeless…
The Equitable Access to Credit Program, authorized by HB 1015 (RCW 82.04.449) (PDF), provides a tax preference mechanism that generates funds for grants to qualified lending institutions. These grants, funded through contributions in exchange for B&O tax credits, are dedicated to providing access to credit for historically underserved communities. The Washington Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness (OEDC) is seeking public comments and recommendations to inform the…
New tax credit program will award grants to qualified lending institutions to provide businesses in historically underserved communities with access to credit. OLYMPIA, WA – Businesses and individuals with state Business and Occupation Tax (B&O) liabilities can earn tax credits by contributing to the state’s new Equitable Access to Credit program, launched in August. Cash contributions to the program can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit from the Department of Revenue…
The Washington State Public Works Board is offering two upcoming virtual Lunch and Learn opportunities related to the topics of sustainability, equity, regional collaboration, and multi-system approaches to infrastructure. See below for additional details and Zoom links. All are welcome to attend, and registration is not required. PWB Virtual Lunch & Learn: Port of Seattle’s Sustainability and Equity Framework What: Learn about decision-making processes that incorporate sustainability and equity design…
NOTE: These projects are subject to approval by CERB at the regularly scheduled business meeting on Thursday, Nov. 16. State funds leverage over $2.1 million in private and local resources expected to create and retain 81 high-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $3.2 million in low interest loans and $100,000 in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to…
Public Comment is open now through Dec. 6, 2023. Commerce has prepared two draft middle housing model ordinances as required by RCW 36.70A.636(2). Commerce also has prepared an accompanying user guide. These two ordinances and the accompanying user guide will provide technical assistance and guidance to cities adopting their own middle housing ordinances, regulations, and other official controls. Draft Model Ordinance for cities 25,000 and over (PDF) Draft Model Ordinance…