Published September 3 2021
Applications due Sept. 30
Housing developers and agencies are encouraged to apply for funding to acquire and construct affordable and supportive housing in Bellevue for eligible populations. The funding is the result of House Bill 1590, legislation passed by the state in 2020, allowing for a sales and use tax to be imposed at the local level to fund housing and related services.
Projects eligible for this funding must serve certain populations at 60% of the Area Median Income or below, including:
- Persons with behavioral health disabilities
- Veterans
- Senior citizens
- Persons who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless, including families with children
- Unaccompanied homeless youth or young adults
- Persons with disabilities
- Domestic violence survivors
The city is requesting proposals from agencies and developers serving the above populations. Approximately $6 million in capital funding is expected to be available in 2021 for this purpose. Applicants are required to hold a pre-application meeting no later than Sept. 10, prior to submitting an application.
Applications and additional information are available at Affordable and Supportive Housing RFP. Applications are due by 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 30. Applications must be sent to Elsa Kings at ekings@bellevuewa.gov. Any questions related to the application process or requests for assistance or alternate formats can also should go to Kings.
The city will review applications and provide funding recommendations to the City Council during the first quarter of 2022.
House Bill 1590 allows Bellevue to utilize a tenth of a percent sales tax increase for affordable housing and related services in the community. The tax went into effect Jan.1, and is expected to generate approximately $8.5 million in 2021.
The city’s Human Services Commission has already accepted applications for funding to support housing-related human services. Anticipated revenue from the new tax accounts for roughly 20% of the that funding. Nineteen agencies were selected to receive housing-related human services funding this year.