Multifamily Housing Unit Newsletter – January 2024, Issue #1
Message from the Managing Director
As we enter a new year, the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU) is committed to connecting our team of housing experts to stakeholders and engaging in a process of continued learning from the communities in our state.
As part of this engagement, we want to provide a monthly overview of the ways you can get involved with the state’s Housing Trust Fund (HTF). In the first week of each month, the Multifamily Housing Unit newsletter will include funding announcements, new supports and technical assistance for applicants, opportunities for public input in program design, funding opportunities, and positions currently open in the unit.
At MHU, we recognize that we are here to address overwhelming challenges in our communities, serve as stewards of historic investments, and we take seriously the responsibility to connect with communities historically impacted by housing discrimination.” Throughout 2022, we undertook a process of reform in collaboration with the Policy Advisory Team and the HTF Equity Alliance to propose a new public advisory body for Commerce’s housing programs. We look forward to updating you on the next steps for the proposal later this year.
This month, we’ll be announcing award decisions, beginning the update of the HTF Handbook that guides our housing programs, and presenting next steps for predevelopment technical assistance for affordable housing organizations, with many more details below. We look forward to working with you to build communities and connections throughout 2024 and beyond.
Thank you,
Nathan Lichti
Managing Director, Multifamily Housing Unit, Department of Commerce
Register for HTF award announcements
Award Round Presentation: Commerce will make a presentation on the $302m in state funding distributed in the 2023 Multifamily Rental and HOME & NHTF application rounds, representing a record commitment to construction of affordable housing in the State of Washington.
Register now for the presentation at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024, via Zoom.
For registration questions, contact katherine.mitchell@commerce.wa.gov for assistance.
Public Input Opportunities
Save the date: Participate in the HTF handbook review process
Over the course of 2024, the Housing Trust Fund will be providing multiple opportunities to get oriented to and provide input on the updates to the HTF Handbook, as we engage in a multi-part chapter-by-chapter public review process.
Sections for review at the first meeting will be released in early February. Save the date and register now for the first public review meeting on Feburary 20, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.
Funding Opportunities
Planning and Predesign Technical Assistance for Capital Projects
The Washington State Department of Commerce seeks proposals from firms to provide technical assistance to community-based organizations that are in the planning and/or predesign stage of a project that may be eligible for funding from select Commerce capital grant programs. This includes housing and non-housing capital programs, such as the Building Communities Fund, Housing Trust Fund, Youth Recreational Facilities Program, and others.
Up to $2 million is available. Awards will range from $250,000 to $500,000.
Pre-Proposal Conference
Potential applicants are encouraged, but not required to attend an online pre-proposal conference to learn more about this opportunity.
Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, 1:00 pm Pacific Time
Timeline
- Q&A Period: Dec. 8, 2023 – Jan. 5, 2024
- Pre-proposal conference: Jan. 24, 2024
- DEADLINE: Proposals due Feb. 12, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Q&A available for Housing Preservation Program (HPP) application
Frequently asked questions have been answered for the 2023 Housing Preservation Program NOFA #MHU-2023-04 (open until January 22, 2024). Review the questions & answers, or find all of our application resources on the HTF Resources & Trainings page.