Project Rental Assistance Program

The HUD811 Project Rental Assistance Program Request for Applications is administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce to expand supportive housing opportunities for extremely low income individuals with disabilities. This initiative is funded through federal grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the authority of the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010. The Department of Commerce is responsible for distributing these funds to qualified housing providers to create and maintain rental units designated for eligible tenants. The program is designed to integrate affordable housing with supportive services, ensuring long term housing stability for vulnerable populations. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide project based rental assistance that bridges the gap between tenant contributions and approved rental costs in multifamily housing developments. The program specifically targets non elderly individuals aged 18 to 61 who have disabling conditions and extremely low incomes, defined as at or below 30 percent of the area median income. Eligible tenants must also be receiving or eligible to receive Medicaid and long term services through state administered programs. The funding supports ongoing rental assistance payments only and explicitly prohibits the use of funds for capital expenses such as construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal entities including federally recognized tribal governments, and private entities that own or manage multifamily housing projects. To qualify, projects must already have capital financing commitments from recognized public funding sources such as the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, or similar federal, state, or local programs. Additional eligibility criteria restrict the proportion of units designated for individuals with disabilities and require compliance with federal housing standards, environmental requirements, and accessibility regulations. The application process requires submission of a complete electronic application package via email to the designated program coordinator. Mandatory components include a certifications and assurances form, a detailed application workbook, a diverse business inclusion plan, and a workers rights certification. The application workbook requires extensive project level data, including organizational experience, project design, implementation planning, and available services for tenants. Applications must be submitted in specified formats, with strict adherence to submission requirements, and late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Applications are evaluated through a structured scoring process conducted by a review panel. Evaluation criteria include organizational experience with similar programs, project design and readiness, alignment with target population needs, and the availability of supportive services. Additional scoring considerations include geographic priorities for underserved counties and compliance with state workforce policies. Top scoring applicants may be invited to participate in virtual presentations before final award decisions are made. The funding timeline includes an application deadline of August 19, 2026, with evaluations occurring shortly thereafter and award notifications expected between late September and early October 2026. Contracts may begin as early as October 21, 2026, once all requirements are satisfied. Contracts are structured for a 20 year period, with initial funding guaranteed for five years and continuation subject to federal appropriations. Recurrence is dependent on future federal funding cycles and is not explicitly guaranteed. All program related inquiries must be directed to the designated program email, ensuring centralized communication and compliance with procurement rules. Applicants are encouraged to attend informational conferences held prior to submission, although participation is not mandatory. The program emphasizes compliance, transparency, and long term commitment to maintaining supportive housing units for eligible populations.

Ensure full completion of the application workbook and strict adherence to formatting requirements; prioritize alignment with target population needs and demonstrate strong organizational experience; verify eligibility criteria before submission