Funding Opportunities

Request for Proposals — Affordable Homeownership Development

For Affordable Homeownership Developers Only

The City of Seattle Office of Housing (OH) is seeking proposals from qualified developers interested in acquiring a property situated at 1605 SW Holden Street, Seattle, WA 98106. Developers will facilitate the establishment of permanently affordable ownership housing at the site while ensuring ongoing affordability for all homes. Additionally, the project will support homeowner success and foster the development of neighborhood-oriented commercial uses at street level, in accordance with the site’s Neighborhood Commercial zoning. 
 
This site was previously owned by Seattle City Light and operated as a substation known as “Dumar.” In December of 2015, the property was deemed surplus to the City’s requirements through Ordinance 124917. In December 2023, legislation passed (Ordinance 126961) approving the purchase and future transfer of the property by OH. There is notable and long-standing community interest in having the property developed as a mixed-use affordable homeownership project. 
 
Proposals can be submitted by single organizations or by a partnership between organizations. Any proposed project must comply with all local, state, and federal rules and statutes necessary to obtain development permits and approvals. Any developer chosen will be obligated to comply with laws and ordinances concerning equal employment opportunity. Applicants are encouraged to submit creative proposals that address the objectives and evaluation criteria outlined in the RFP. 
 
All applicants must attend a pre-application conference with OH staff before submitting their applications. These pre-application meetings must be scheduled and held on or before May 15, 2024. You may schedule a pre-application conversation by contacting Joy Hunt at joy.hunt2@seattle.gov. 
 
All submission items must be received by OH by May 24, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. Any proposals received after the deadline will not be accepted or considered. 

Appendices and Documents 

1605 SW Holden St (Dumar) RFP  
Proposal Checklist 
Development Budget Workbook
2015 DOE NFA Determination for Dumar
Dumar Natural Drainage System 60% Plan Set
HOA Addendum
Limited Equity Cooperative Addendum 

2024 Affordable Housing Operating Stabilization Funding

The City of Seattle Office of Housing (OH), is soliciting applications for one-time funding from eligible organizations to stabilize operations, address deferred maintenance, and make needed repairs in City-financed affordable housing. The financial assistance made available through this RFQ will only be awarded to eligible housing providers for eligible costs. The intent of this funding is to assist organizations to address operational issues that are occurring throughout the affordable housing ecosystem, and which are beyond the reasonable control of any specific housing provider.  

Up to $14,000,000 in funding from the Payroll Expense Tax is available for one-time use under this RFQ. The maximum request is limited to $1,000,000 per organization. Payroll Expense Tax funding used for rent assistance must directly benefit residents earning up to 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) based on household size. To address the needs of building with households with incomes up to 60% AMI, this funding can pay for associated infrastructure to support the ongoing operations costs for the housing, such as maintenance, including capital costs related to unit turns, unit repairs, deferred maintenance, repairs of major building systems.

Applications due: April 26, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.   

For more information, contact Maria Dewees 

• RFQ Operating Stabilization
• RFQ Application
• Rent Assistance Guidelines 
• Reporting Template
• Spending Plan Worksheet

The following organizations are eligible to apply for this RFQ:

• Bellwether Housing
• Catholic Housing Services
• Chief Seattle Club
• Community House Mental Health Agency
• Community Roots Housing
• Compass Housing Alliance
• Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association
• Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC)
• El Centro de la Raza
• HumanGood Affordable Housing
• InterIm Community Development Association
• Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI)
• Mercy Housing Northwest
• Mt. Baker Housing Association
• Mt. Zion Housing Development
• Pike Place Market PDA
• Plymouth Housing Group
• Sea Mar Community Health Centers
• Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDPDA)
• Solid Ground
• Sound
• SouthEast Effective Development (SEED)
• YWCA of Seattle/King County

The Rental Housing Notice of Funding Availability has an estimated release of July 2024. Please revisit this section in the summer