Health and Homes Project Based Rental Assistance Units

The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering funding through its Apple Health and Homes (AHAH) Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) Units program to expand permanent supportive housing access for individuals facing homelessness and behavioral health challenges. This Request for Applications (RFA) aims to support Eligible Multi-Family Housing Projects in King County and the North Central Behavioral Health Region, which includes Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, and Grant counties. Funding will be used to establish dedicated project-based units for participants of the AHAH program, a state initiative created under Chapter 216, Laws of 2022 (ESHB 1866) to address housing instability through permanent supportive housing services. Eligible applicants include non-profit, not-for-profit, public, and tribal housing developers or operators, including Federally Recognized Tribal Governments, who own properties with existing public capital funding from sources such as the Washington State Housing Trust Fund or similar local, state, or federal programs. These units must serve individuals earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and be capable of accepting direct referrals from the AHAH program’s Coordinating Entity. Projects must also respect client choice regarding Foundational Community Supports (FCS) providers and be structured to promote housing stability among individuals with significant barriers. The funding for this RFA totals up to $1,468,070 for the 2025–2027 biennium. Contracts will be awarded through a competitive process prioritizing applicants based on several criteria: location within the defined geographic regions, readiness to lease, type of capital source, and whether the project represents rapid acquisition versus new construction. Additional priority points will be awarded to Registered By-and-For Organizations and Tribes, Nations, and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs). While multiple awards are anticipated, funding beyond this round is not guaranteed and will depend on future allocations. Subsidies provided under this program will be based on Housing Trust Fund rent limits for the project's county and require tenants to contribute 30% of their income toward rent. Projects must comply with Commerce Habitability Standards, tenant protections, and equal opportunity guidelines. Rental assistance payments will be made directly to property owners or designated property managers for units leased to eligible tenants. The application window closes on September 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the virtual Applicant Conference scheduled for September 10, 2025, with separate sessions available for tribal and non-tribal participants. Applications must be submitted electronically and include all required forms: Certifications and Assurances, Application Workbook, Diverse Business Inclusion Plan, and Workers’ Rights Certification. Final award decisions will be announced around October 27, 2025, with contracts expected to begin by November 14, 2025. The grant period extends through June 30, 2027, with potential for biennial renewal based on available funding. For assistance or inquiries, applicants may contact the RFA Coordinator, Ricky Caynor, at Ricky.Caynor@commerce.wa.gov. All official communications must be routed through the RFA Coordinator to remain valid under the terms of the solicitation.

Applications must be submitted by email in proper formats by the 4:00 p.m. deadline. Late or zipped files will be rejected. Attend optional virtual conference on September 10, 2025, for guidance.