Applications for 6,791 housing units came from 23 counties.
The Washington State Department of Commerce received 112 applications from community-based organizations, nonprofit housing assistance organizations, tribes, and local housing authorities in response to two notices of funding availability released in July.
The funding opportunities were from the state’s Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and the federal government’s National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) and HOME Rental Development program.
See the application materials:
- Housing Trust Fund Multifamily Housing NOFA #MHU-2025-01
- HOME and National Housing Trust Fund NOFA #MHU-2025-02
The application window for both NOFAs closed on Oct. 16. Applications came from rural, suburban, and urban communities in 23 of Washington’s 39 counties.
Applicants requesting a total of $538 million
Applicants are requesting more than $538 million, while Commerce has allocated only $212.4 million in public funds for the 2025 funding cycle. The 112 applications propose to create or preserve more than 6,791 units of affordable housing throughout Washington.
The Washington Legislature invested more than $405 million in the Washington State Housing Trust Fund in the 2025-2027 Capital Budget, while Commerce used an additional $13.9 million from HUD. This funding increases the capacity of our housing partners to deliver thousands of new affordable housing units across every part of the state. Read more about Washington’s affordable housing investment in the Biennial Investment Strategy.
Award decisions expected in January
Once awarded, these funds will allow local entities to develop affordable housing to serve people most in need, including prioritizing those who earn 30% or less of the area median income. Future residents may include people with intellectual or development disabilities, seniors, veterans, families with dependent children, those affected by substance use disorder, and community members impacted by structural forces such as poverty and racism.
Over the next several weeks, the Multifamily Housing Unit will carefully review applications to ensure the limited amount of available funding is awarded based on our commitment to equity and project readiness for capital construction.
Questions?
Email the application team at HTFApp@commerce.wa.gov.