OLYMPIA, WA- The state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) recently awarded more than $6 million for 16 homeownership projects in 23 Washington counties. A total of 157 units of affordable housing will be created or preserved in Jefferson, Clallam, Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Yakima, Grays Harbor, Pacific, Whitman, Klickitat, Skamania, Walla Walla, Grant, Stevens, Skagit, Snohomish Columbia, Garfield, Ferry, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Pierce and King counties.
“In the 2008 session, we made an important, additional investment in the Housing Trust Fund that will help communities meet the housing needs of low-income and special needs populations throughout the state,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire.
“Availability of affordable housing is a growing concern in communities throughout Washington State,” said Juli Wilkerson, CTED Director. “Projects such as these, supported through the Housing Trust Fund, open the possibility of homeownership to more working families and disabled citizens.”
A broad range of projects are being funded including projects serving farmworkers, the physically and developmentally disabled, low-income households in general. One project will be assisting existing low-income homeowners with rehabilitation, preserving existing affordable housing. All of the other projects are providing homeownership opportunities for first time homebuyers, at or below 80% of the median income.
Funds were awarded from the state Housing Trust Fund. The Housing Trust Fund supports community efforts to ensure the availability of safe, decent and affordable housing by providing loans and grants for construction, acquisition and rehabilitation of low-income multi-family and single-family housing. Since 1989, the Housing Trust Fund has increased or improved the stock of affordable housing in Washington by more than 32,000 units and has invested more than $500 million in new and improved housing, leveraging more than $2 billion in private and public sector support.
CTED is the lead state agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable housing and economic vitality in Washington State. For more information, please visit www.cted.wa.gov.
