Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program funding round opens July 11

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July 8, 2022

Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program grants

Application period open July 11 through Aug. 26

Commerce’s Growth Management Housing Team is pleased to offer a third round of funding for the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) this summer.

The CHIP program helps affordable housing projects connect to water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure by paying for waived connection fees,  the infrastructure to connect to regional water, sewer, or stormwater systems, or for on-site stormwater facilities.

Grant requirements

  • Applicants must be a city, county, or public utility district in partnership with an affordable housing project.
  • The city or county must have imposed a sales and use tax for affordable housing.
  • The new housing development must include at least 25% affordable units, which must have a strong probability of serving the target group for at least 25 years.
  • The affordable housing development must begin construction within 24 months of the grant award.
  • Federal funds must be under contract by December 2024 and expended by December 2026. Projects funded with state resources must be completed by June 2025 pending legislative re-appropriations.
  • Where applicable, the extension for new drinking water, wastewater or stormwater connections must be consistent with the approved comprehensive plans under the Growth Management Act and must be within the established boundaries of the Urban Growth Area. 

A total of $7.6 million is available in this funding round, with $4.1 million dedicated to utility connections and $3.5 million for waived system development charges. Third round funding requests are limited to $1 million per project. 

To ensure equitable distribution of funds, applications outside of Seattle/King County will be given prioritization. Unfunded jurisdictions from rounds one and two will need to reapply to seek funding.

View CHIP guidelines

Application information

Apply online through ZoomGrants beginning Monday, July 11.   

Pre-application webinar

Questions?

For more information, contact CHIP program manager, Eric Guida, at eric.guida@commerce.wa.gov or 360-725-3044.