The Washington State Department of Commerce is committed to creating and preserving affordable housing for Washingtonians of all backgrounds. Washington, like many other states, has experienced a significant shortage of affordable and accessible housing that is most uniquely felt by those who have disabilities and belong to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. By partnering with housing authorities, community organizations, and tribes in all regions of our state, we can respond to our housing crisis and work together to preserve and create sustainable housing opportunities for some of our most resilient community members.
Latest news
Current opportunities
Funding opportunities for the Washington State Housing Trust Fund (HTF), National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF), HOME Rental Development Program, and Housing Preservation Program are posted annually. Please see below for current opportunities. If none are listed, please check back soon for more funding opportunities.
Resources
The Commerce Contract Management System (CMS) portal allows you to submit requests for reimbursement (A19 forms). You can attach backup documentation, see up-to-date balances and monitor the approval of your invoice on-line. The electronic reimbursement system is not yet available for all Commerce programs. Please contact your program manager for more information.
Set up an account
Take the following steps to set-up your Commerce CMS account:
- Register for a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account
- Submit a CMS Access Request Form (Word) to your program manager
Upon approval, you will receive an email from “CMS-noreply@www.commerce.wa.gov” with a registration code, how-to guide and instructions for login.
Additionally, you can review the following resources for additional assistance:
- 2025-27 Biennial Investment Strategy (PDF): This report details the Multifamily Housing Unit’s plan to award $419 million that has been allocated by the state legislature, over the next two years.
- Housing Trust Fund Vision and Strategic Priorities – 2025 (PDF): Guiding principles for the purpose of anchoring community-driven values and priorities into all multifamily housing unit projects.
- Multifamily Housing Unit Fact Sheet – 2025 (PDF): This publication provides a snapshot of our unit’s purpose, populations served, details of the Housing Trust Fund, and opportunities for future investment.
- Transit-Oriented Development Partnership Match – 2025 (PDF): This report details the funding guidelines, investment methodology, results, and conclusions stemming from a $50,000,000 appropriation to invest in high density housing projects in transit-rich environments, as established by the 2023-25 Capital Budget.
- Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Handbook – updated on January 30th, 2025: The most recently revised edition of the HTF Handbook, which outline guidelines pertaining to all Housing Trust Fund affordable housing properties.
- Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice – 2020 (PDF): The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice examines various sources related to furthering fair housing, the fair housing delivery system and housing transactions that affect people protected under fair housing law.
- Analyzing Development Costs for Low-Income Housing – 2019 (PDF): In 2017, the Legislature directed JLARC to analyze the costs of developing low-income housing. JLARC reviewed the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs. A Joint Legislative and Audit Review Committee (JLARC) Report.
- Ultra-Efficient Affordable Housing Demonstration – 2018 (PDF): This report satisfies the reporting requirements of the 2016 supplemental capital budget (2EHB 1115, Section 1033(5)) and includes:
- Project costs compared to costs of traditional design and construction
- Life-cycle costs
- Use of sustainable resources
- Energy savings and reduction of carbon footprint
- Lessons learned
- Washington State Affordable Housing Portfolio Study – 2015 (PDF): The study examined the need for additional capital investments in rental properties funded by the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs.
- Increasing the Cost-Effectiveness of Housing Trust Fund Investments – 2012 (PDF): A report of recommendations by the Department of Commerce for awarding Housing Trust Fund dollars in a cost-effective manner.
- Washington State Affordable Housing Inventory – 2010 (PDF): In 2007, the Washington State Legislature instructed the Department of Commerce, then the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, to prepare an inventory of housing assistance programs. See the 2007 capital budget (ESHB-1092, Sec 1031(11)) for more detail. The inventory includes the following:
- All state-funded programs
- Washington State Housing Finance Commission programs
- All programs funded by local governments
- Housing authorities
- Affordable Housing Cost Study – 2009 (PDF): Department of Commerce, then the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, evaluated the development costs associated with building affordable housing funded by the Housing Trust Fund.
- Comparing Costs & Characteristics of Housing Assistance Programs – 2009 (PDF): In the 2007 operating budget, the Legislature directed JLARC to evaluate and compare the cost efficiency of rental housing voucher programs versus other approaches to providing housing assistance. A Joint Legislative and Audit Review Committee (JLARC) Report.
- Farmworker Housing Program Reports: The Farmworker Housing Program, formerly a separate program, has ceased operations. During its operation, the program produced reports in 2005 and 2007.