Senator Murray Announces Major Federal Funding for Washington State Affordable Housing from the American Rescue Plan

Communities from Seattle to Spokane to receive more than $98 million in Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) program funds from the American Rescue Plan

Senator Murray has continuously and successfully fought to protect the HOME program, which has helped low-income families get access to affordable housing over the years

ICYMI: Senator Murray Secures Hundreds of Millions in Housing Assistance for Washington State in American Rescue Plan – MORE HERE

Senator Murray: “It’s important that we continue supporting Washington state families and individuals who have been confronted with unprecedented adversity during this pandemic. We faced a housing crisis before the pandemic so bringing these resources back to Washington state is vital.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced housing awards totaling more than $98 million for cities and counties across Washington state.

The federal awards come as part of the American Rescue Plan and are distributed via the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) program—communities may use funds to build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership, offer direct rental assistance to residents with low-incomes, provide supportive services, and support the acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter.

“As so many in our state are struggling to keep a roof over their head or are currently unhoused, it’s important that we continue supporting Washington state families and individuals who have been confronted with unprecedented adversity during this pandemic,” said Senator Murray. “We faced a housing crisis before the pandemic so bringing these resources back to Washington state is vital. I have fought hard to fund crucial housing programs like the HOME program over the years, and I’ll keep working to ensure the federal government continues to get those facing housing insecurity the help they need.”

These funds will assist those at risk of or experiencing homelessness, populations in need of supportive services, individuals fleeing domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and more, and households with a veteran family member that meet one of the above criteria.

In addition to the $5 billion in HOME funding nationally, the American Rescue Plan includes $404 million in emergency rental and utility assistance for Washington state, as part of $21.55 billion nationally, as well as a percentage of $9.96 billion nationally in assistance for homeowners struggling to afford their mortgage payments and other housing costs, and $5 billion nationally for new emergency Housing Choice Vouchers (administered by Public Housing Authorities). The rental assistance is distributed through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program created in the December COVID relief package, and the homeowner assistance will be distributed through a new Housing Assistance Fund administered by the Department of Treasury. Additionally, the bill includes $7.1 billion for Washington state and local governments, some of which can go towards local housing aid.

The American Rescue Plan comes after a year of Senator Murray advocating for increased housing assistance to combat the effects of the pandemic on renters, homeowners, and people experiencing homelessness. In the December COVID relief package, Senator Murray helped to secure $507 million for Washington state and $25 billion nationally for states, Tribes, and territories to provide rental and utility assistance, and last year, Senator Murray helped secure over $100 million in Emergency Solutions Grants for Washington state through the CARES Act, which provided a critical lifeline for people and families experiencing or facing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, Senator Murray has already announced more than $100 million in federal awards to combat housing insecurity and invest in public housing infrastructure across Washington state. 

Senator Murray has also been instrumental in continuing the HOME program, successfully fighting to save the program from near elimination in 2015, and protecting the program from attacks from the Trump Administration in spending bills over the past four years. In the 2020 fiscal year spending agreement, Senator Murray was able to increase the program funding by $100 million.

In total, $98,112,636 has been awarded to cities and counties across Washington state through the HOME program. The funding from this grant program is distributed on a formula basis.

See a full breakdown of federal awards going to Washington state below.

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