The Housing Division of the Community and Economic Development Department provides service and technical assistance that ultimately result in safer, more attractive neighborhoods, improved rental and owner-occupied affordable housing, elimination of blight, improved household and neighborhood safety and stimulated economic development. Through the Housing Division, the community has benefited from increased job opportunities, affordable housing stock, reduced blight and crime and an overall sense of pride in the City’s neighborhoods.
Affordable Housing Provider Loans
If you develop affordable homeownership or rental housing specifically for lower income individuals and families, your organization may qualify for public funds provided in the form of low-interest loans to help with the purchase, rehabilitation or construction of affordable housing within the City of Tacoma. The use of these funds in a project requires long-term affordability with income and rent restrictions recorded on the deed for your property. In addition, the use of these funds requires long-term monitoring of the units and projects by City staff. At a minimum, an Annual Report will be required, along with on-going housing quality inspection.
Sources of funding for housing development loans include:
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME)
- Local Affordable Housing Fund (AHF)
To learn about funding opportunities, visit the Funding Opportunities Requests For Proposals webpage.
Federally-Funded Housing Programs
The division administers federally funded housing programs, such as the:
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program
- HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME)
- Neighborhood Stabilization Program II
As part of this administrative responsibility, the City of Tacoma adopts a Consolidated Plan every five years. The Consolidated Plan provides a framework for how Tacoma will address affordable housing, human services, community and economic development needs in Tacoma.
To view these documents and learn about current participation opportunities, visit the Consolidated Plan web page.
Housing Assistance Services
The division works in partnership with the non-profit housing community and housing developers to provide affordable housing options in Tacoma. The following non-profit organizations currently receive Community Development Block Grant funds to provide health and safety related housing repair services free of charge to low income Tacoma homeowners:
In addition, the Housing Division in coordination with the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority (TCRA) provides home repair and rehabilitation loans, homebuyer down payment assistance loans and affordable housing developer loans.
Economic Development Services
The Housing Division works to stimulate economic growth by providing Community Development Block grant funds to local organizations which provide small business technical assistance to new and expanding small businesses. The following non-profit organizations currently receive Community Development Block Grant funds to provide technical assistance to Tacoma entrepreneurs:
Business Loans
The Housing Division, in coordination with the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority (TCRA), also offers small business loans to expanding and start-up Tacoma businesses. The funds are provided to the City through federal grants and can be used by a business for purposes such as an acquisition of property; site improvements; working capital; purchase of equipment, machinery, furniture, or fixtures; façade improvements; improvements to a historic building or fire safety improvements. The City's loan programs result in job creation and a stronger business community. Learn more about the loan programs available to expanding businesses or about loan programs available to start-up businesses.
Loan Subordination and Loan Payoff Requests
Homeowners who have a home repair or rehabilitation loan or a down payment assistance loan through the TCRA and wish to receive a payoff statement should contact Loan Servicing. Homeowners who wish to request that TCRA subordinate its lien position to allow the homeowner to refinance a first lender's loan should complete a subordination request form and submit it to Financial Assistant by mail. Address subordination requests to:
Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority
C/O Loan Servicing
747 Market Street, Room 808
Tacoma, WA 98402
Useful Housing and Community Development Documents and Resources