Accepting applications for affordable multifamily rental projects — federal funding available

Opportunity Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Close Date: September 21, 2026 Important Dates: Technical Assistance Office Hours #1: Thursday, July 16, 1 Pacific Technical Assistance Office Hours #2: Thursday, July 30, 1 Pacific Technical Assistance Office Hours #3: Thursday, August 13, 1 Pacific Technical Assistance Office Hours #4: Thursday, August 27, 1 Pacific Deadline for Submittal of Waivers: Monday, August 31, 5 Pacific Project Applications Due: Monday, Sept. 21, 12 Pacific What funding is available? The Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) is soliciting applications for new multifamily rental affordable housing projects seeking capital funding from HOME or National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) federal programs, administered by the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU). As described in the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan HOME and NHTF funds are being made available to: …support the objective of the HOME and NHTF program to provide affordable housing to lower-income households by expanding and maintaining the supply of affordable rental housing, expanding the capacity of nonprofit housing providers, strengthening the ability of state and local governments to provide housing, and leveraging private sector participation. Funding may go towards new construction and/or acquisition. Commerce will not make awards that consist of combinations of HOME and NHTF funds. Awards will include either HOME or NHTF funds, but may be combined with state Housing Trust Fund moneys. A total of $4,093,382 is expected to be available in HOME funding. An estimated total of $4,000,000 is expected to be available in NHTF funding. Who is eligible? Local governments Local housing authorities Nonprofit community or neighborhood-based organizations Federally recognized Indian tribes in the state of Washington Regional Support Networks established under RCW Chapter 71.24 Regional or statewide nonprofit housing assistance organizations The applicant must have previously developed a similar affordable housing project ( similar project structure). If it does not, it must either retain an experienced development consultant or partner with a developer that has affordable housing development experience. Applicants seeking NHTF funds must have evidenced (documented) their ability to manage and operate an affordable multifamily rental housing development. Training and resources We encourage applicants to view our 2026 Application Workshop recordings, posted on the Multifamily Rental Funding Opportunities website under ‘Training resources for grantees’. Additionally, we invite applicants to attend up to four separate technical assistance office hours to ask questions and seek further clarification, to be held on Teams. The links to register for office hours are below. Register for office hours on Thursday, July 16 at 1 Pacific Register for office hours on Thursday, July 30 at 1 Pacific Register for office hours on Thursday, August 13 at 1 Pacific Register for office hours on Thursday, August 27 at 1 Pacific Public records notice : Meeting registration information, such as name and email address, is a public record and may be subject to disclosure, pursuant to  Chapter 42.56 RCW: PUBLIC RECORDS ACT . How do I apply? Please download and carefully review the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) linked below for specific information regarding funding requirements and priorities, the process for submitting an application, and dates of significance. Federal HOME and NHTF NOFA (#MHU-2026-08) Applications are due to the Department of Commerce by 12 Pacific on Monday, September 21, 2026 . Award announcements are anticipated in January 2027. Contact If you have questions regarding this announcement or NOFA, submit them to [email protected].