Commerce awards nearly $3 million to help cities plan for increasing middle housing options

Commerce awards nearly $3 million to help cities plan for increasing middle housing options

Grants will support adoption of local actions that aim to accommodate projected housing needs at all income levels through different types of units, providing more affordable housing options OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Department of Commerce today announced nearly $3 million for 54 cities across 16 Washington counties to support the adoption of local comprehensive plan policies and zoning codes to allow more middle housing in residential neighborhoods. Increasing the availability…

Washington State Public Works Board opens application cycle for $15.8 million in broadband funding

Washington State Public Works Board opens application cycle for $15.8 million in broadband funding

Grants and low-interest loans available for broadband construction projects OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Public Works Board today opened applications for broadband funding, offering $15.8 million in grants and low-interest loans for broadband construction projects. Projects in distressed counties are eligible for 30% grant and 70% loan funding, until funds are exhausted. Local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, cooperative associations, multiparty entities, limited liability corporations (LLC), and incorporated businesses or…

Commerce to make historic investments in affordable housing projects statewide

Commerce to make historic investments in affordable housing projects statewide

Applications open now for over $300 million in capital to develop multifamily rental housing projects OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today opened applications for projects seeking capital to develop affordable housing across the state. At more than $302 million, it is the state’s largest single funding round to date. Funds are available to eligible non-profits, local governments, community housing development agencies, tribal governments and housing authorities.…

Washington Department of Commerce names Lisa Heaton to lead digital equity work

Washington Department of Commerce names Lisa Heaton to lead digital equity work

New Managing Director of Broadband Equity will focus on community-led solutions to provide broadband access, affordability and digital literacy for all Washington residents OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce has hired Lisa Heaton (she/her) to serve as Managing Director of Broadband Equity working in partnership with the Washington State Broadband Office. Heaton, a past recipient of the Governor’s Leadership in Management Award, brings a wealth of public…

Commerce commits $83.5 million to address homelessness through affordable housing construction

Commerce commits $83.5 million to address homelessness through affordable housing construction

First-ever Apple Health and Homes Capital plus additional funding advance new projects to serve people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in communities across Washington state Olympia, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce announced new funding awards totaling $83.5 million to provide affordable housing opportunities in communities across the state. The new Office of Apple Health and Homes and Commerce’s Multifamily Housing Unit awarded $43.7 million to create…

Commerce invests $24.2 million to create more than 240 new homeownership opportunities

Commerce invests $24.2 million to create more than 240 new homeownership opportunities

Grants leverage $66 million in local and private funds to expand homeownership access across Washington state. OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce has invested $24.2 million to create and support homeownership opportunities throughout the state. Twenty-one new proposals were awarded grants and three existing projects will receive additional funding to cover gaps created by increased costs for materials. These projects will create approximately 242 new homeownership opportunities…

Commerce awards $50.6 million to rapidly acquire 13 properties for shelters, affordable housing

Commerce awards $50.6 million to rapidly acquire 13 properties for shelters, affordable housing

Grants bolster efforts to confront homelessness in 10 counties across Washington state OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington Department of Commerce announced approximately $50.6 million in grants to 13 affordable housing projects throughout the state. This second round of funding through the state’s 2022 Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program will create 214 affordable units and 70 beds of housing for people in Washington who are currently homeless or at high risk…

Washington state will need more than 1 million homes in next 20 years

Washington state will need more than 1 million homes in next 20 years

More than half of the homes are needed for residents at the lowest income levels OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today released its final housing needs projections, which show the state needs to add 1.1 million homes over the next 20 years, and more than half of them need to be affordable for residents at the lowest income levels. Based on census data and the Office…

Housing projects for people experiencing homelessness in Washington will share $9-million federal grant

Housing projects for people experiencing homelessness in Washington will share $9-million federal grant

Rural communities are focus of investments in nine new projects statewide OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce was awarded a $9 million grant last week from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that will provide new housing for people experiencing homelessness in Island, Klickitat, Mason, Skamania, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima counties. Funds will be used over the next three years for a variety of…

State survey: Most people say housing is #1 issue

State survey: Most people say housing is #1 issue

Housing costs/rents, homelessness and overall cost of living top list of most important problems facing Washington state in new survey by Department of Commerce and Puget Sound Regional Council OLYMPIA, WA — Housing and homelessness topped a list of 12 issues in a new survey that asked Washington state residents to rank their top two problems facing the state. The Department of Commerce partnered with the Puget Sound Regional Council…