The days are shorter and the temperatures colder, but you can still count on the Multifamily Housing Unit to deliver updates on our commitment to developing affordable multifamily housing across Washington!
HTF applicant lists are live
$528 million requested from 112 competitive applications
Every year, Commerce’s Multifamily Housing Unit disburses millions of dollars to ensure communities have access to multi-family affordable housing. Our largest funding opportunities were released in July, HTF Multifamily Housing NOFA #MHU-2025-01 and HOME and NHTF NOFA #MHU-2025-02, for which the application window closed on October 16.
We received 112 applications which collectively are seeking $538 million, which shows the continued need for affordable housing in Washington communities,
See the application lists on our website.
Technical assistance and consultant resources
New and less experienced developers: Learn about development resources available to you.
As a public funder, we’re committed to providing equal opportunity to all contractors. We understand that many affordable housing developers feel like they miss out on many options for essential tools in the development process, especially third-party consultants.
While we can’t make endorsements or specific recommendations, we can recommend you review the following general resources to get you closer to meeting your development goals:
- If you are a housing provider serving under-represented communities, you may be eligible for Pre-Development Technical Assistance. To learn more, visit the Capacity Building, Outreach, and Support (CBOS) webpage or email HTFCapacityBuilding@commerce.wa.gov.
- For developers that have been awarded funds, your Project Manager can assist you in browsing resources. Not sure who your PM is? Email Fia Phillips.
- For developers who have already entered the HTF portfolio, you can access Technical Assistance from our Portfolio Management teams. For more information, email them at HTFCompliance@commerce.wa.gov and HTFPortfolioMgmt@commerce.wa.gov.
Developers can also connect with current contractors to learn about their preferred third-party consultants and other development resources, such as construction companies or CPAs. View the lists of awarded projects on our website, under “Funding details and awards”.
Properties placed in service
In Quarter 3, MHU helped create 186 new affordable homes and 9 shelter beds via eight properties in seven counties. Thanks to all those who made this great work happen!
Lexington Avenue Home (FFC Homes XIII) – Kelso, Cowlitz County
- Placed in service? July 16
- Who developed? Foundation for the Challenged, dba Options for Supported Housing
- Who funded? Washington State Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Kuni Foundation
- How much did Commerce contribute? $1,045,000
- Who is housed? Four adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, up to 30% AMI
Read more about Sunrise Village on our website.
King Fisher Tiny House Village – Tacoma, Pierce County
- Placed in service? July 23
- Who developed? Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI)
- Who funded? Washington State Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Pierce County
- How much did Commerce contribute? $1,591,740.38
- Who is housed? 60 previously unhoused adults, up to 30% AMI
- What else? Funded by state and county right-of-way dollars specifically used to invite people out of encampments and into safe and stable apartments.
Searing House (Aka Emily House) – Issaquah, King County
- Placed in service? July 24
- Who developed? Life Enrichment Options
- Who funded? Washington State Housing Trust Fund (HTF), ARCH (A Regional Coalition for Housing), King County
- How much did Commerce contribute? $3,251,973
- Who is housed? Four adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 30-40% AMI
CCAP Modulars – Grays Harbor County
- Placed in service? August 27
- Who developed? Coastal Community Action Program
- Who funded? Washington State Housing Trust Fund (HTF)
- How much did Commerce contribute? $3,251,973
- Who is housed? 22 previously unhoused adults, up to 50% AMI
- What else? Six modular fourplexes spread throughout Grays Harbor County will provide permanent supportive housing to adults who have experienced chronic homelessness.
Crosswalk Teen Shelter and Transitional Housing Project – Spokane
- Placed in service? September 9
- Who developed? Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho
- Who funded? Washington State Housing Trust Fund (HTF)
- How much did Commerce contribute? $2,200,000
- Who is served? 36 youth (under 18) and young adults (18-24) who have experienced homelessness
- What else? Commerce leveraged Rapid Capital dollars to speed up development of this impactful project.
Lincoln Place II – Vancouver, Clark County
- Placed in service? September 23
- Who developed? Vancouver Housing Authority
- Who funded? Washington State Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Clark County, Coty of Vancouver, Connecting Housing to Infrastructure program (Administered by Commerce)
- How much did Commerce contribute? $5,500,000.00
- Who is served? 40 adults with complex behavioral health, chronic illnesses, and/or physical health needs, 30-50% AMI.
- What else? Vancouver Housing Authority accessed Apple Health and Homes (AHAH) funding to provide permanent supportive housing for adults exiting homelessness.
O Street Roots – Vancouver, Clark County
- Placed in service? September 25
- Who developed? Community Roots Collaborative
- Who funded? Washington State Housing Trust Fund (HTF), City of Vancouver
- How much did Commerce contribute? $2,561,392
- Who is served? 20 adults exiting homelessness, with experiences such as veteran status, substance use history, and chronic mental illness.
- What else? This property, on land that was previously owned by a church, will provide permanent supportive housing that blends privacy and community via newly constructed cottages.
YMCA Oasis Youth Shelter – Mount Vernon, Skagit County
- Placed in service? September 26
- Who developed? YouthNet
- Who funded? Washington State Housing Trust Fund (HTF)
- How much did Commerce contribute? $3,095,000.00
- Who is served? 9 beds for youth (<18) who are experiencing homelessness.
- What else? This project rehabilitates Oasis Teen Shelter, an important hub for youth seeking stability in Skagit County.
Reader feedback
Property managers: At the Department of Commerce, we try to share the benefits of affordable housing as well as the benefits of all aspects of community. We have heard from developers, property managers, and tenants about impact of community gardens on tenants and the broader community. We would like to hear directly from you about community gardens via this 5-minute survey.
Do you have ideas for this newsletter? We want to showcase valuable and actionable information relevant to Commerce contractors, perspective developers, property managers, and more! If you have an idea for newsletter content, please email Tim Marshall.