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, 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.
The Consolidated Plan is carried out through Annual Action Plans (AAP) that outline how the City will use its federal funding in the upcoming program year. As part of this process, the City annually solicits applications from service providers and affordable housing developers for use of the CDBG and HOME funds.
Accomplishments and progress toward Consolidated Plan goals is measured and summarized annually in the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report.
The City encourages the public to be involved in the identification of needs, the development of plans and strategies, the review of proposed activities, and the review of program performance. Opportunities to engage are outlined in the Community Participation Plan.
To view these documents and learn about current participation opportunities, visit the Consolidated Plan page.
Consolidated Plan
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.