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.
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, we annually adopt an Annual Action Plan (AAP) that outlines how the Housing Division will use its federal funding in the upcoming program year and a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report that summarizes our success in meeting the goals outlined in the AAP.
Every five years we update the City of Tacoma’s Consolidated Plan. The documents provide a framework for how Tacoma will address affordable housing, human services, community and economic development needs in Tacoma. The Annual Action Plan and Consolidated Plan are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Tacoma and Lakewood's Annual Action Plan outlines how the two cities will use their Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant and Home Investment Partnership Grant in the upcoming program year, which runs July 1 of a given year through June 30 of the following year. A draft of the 2017-2018 Annual Action Plan is now available.
Substantial Amendment to the Program Year 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan Now Available
An electronic Substantial Amendment to the Program Year 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan, which describes changes to the City's Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships (The HOME Program) for the fiscal year 2019 (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020) and a plan to spend CARES Act funds is now available.
Amendments are also being made to the Community Participation Plan to address public safety concerns and new HUD approved processes.
The public comment period was May 8-May 12, 2020. Final action was held on May 12, 2020 at the City Council Meeting. Any questions or comments about the Substantial Amendment can be directed to Felicia Medlen at fmedlen@cityoftacoma.org.
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 Karlee Iverson. 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 Karlee Iverson by mail. Address subordination requests to:
Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority
C/O Karlee Iverson
747 Market Street, Room 808
Tacoma, WA 98402
Useful Housing and Community Development Documents and Resources
Contact us if you have questions about the Housing Division.