Affordable Multifamily Rental Projects in Washington

The Washington State Department of Commerce is soliciting applications for new multifamily rental affordable housing projects seeking capital funding through the federal HOME program or the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF). These programs are administered by the Department’s Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU) and are designed to support the creation or preservation of affordable housing for households at or below the income limits specified by each funding source. Funding will be awarded to projects that align with the objectives outlined in the State’s 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025 Annual Action Plan. Multifamily Rental Housing, for the purposes of this opportunity, includes a variety of housing forms intended to provide habitable space for more than one household, including single-person households. This can involve single buildings with two or more distinct units, sets of housing structures managed as a single functional unit, and buildings or complexes designed or adapted for shared living spaces such as shelters, group homes, or dormitories for seasonal workers. The goal is to create housing that remains affordable for extended periods—between 15 and 30 years—depending on the funding program and level of assistance received. In return for low-cost permanent financing, recipients must agree to long-term income, rent, and other restrictions, with compliance monitored throughout the affordability period. Eligible applicants include local governments, local housing authorities, nonprofit community or neighborhood-based organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes within Washington, regional support networks established under RCW Chapter 71.24, and regional or statewide nonprofit housing assistance organizations. The funding is not available to individuals or for-profit entities. The scope of financing includes both primary and supplemental funding, depending on the needs of the project and alignment with program priorities. Applications are currently open and will close on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 12 p.m. Pacific Time. A technical assistance period is open until Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time, during which applicants can attend office hours on designated dates or review recorded webinars on application requirements. FAQs will be updated weekly until the end of the technical assistance period. For new developers, predevelopment technical assistance and grants are available through Commerce’s Capacity Building, Outreach, and Support program. To apply, applicants should download and carefully review the NOFA document titled HTF Multifamily Housing NOFA #MHU-2025-02 for detailed requirements, funding priorities, and submission processes. Additional future funding rounds, such as a Tribal Housing Set-aside NOFA, will be announced separately. The Department of Commerce encourages applicants to use the resources provided to ensure strong, compliant submissions. For questions, applicants should email HTFApp@commerce.wa.gov with a subject line referencing HTF Multifamily Rental NOFA #MHU-2025-02. This contact is the official channel for inquiries regarding this funding round.

Review recorded webinars; attend office hours; check FAQs regularly; seek predevelopment assistance if new to development