Chapter 3.40
AFFORDABLE HOUSING GRANT PROGRAM
Sections:
3.40.010 Grant program established.
3.40.010 Grant program established.
There is hereby established an affordable housing grant program for the administration and distribution of the affordable housing surcharge funds that are received from the county pursuant to the interlocal agreement referenced in Ordinance No. 1361. Said funds shall be deposited in the town treasurer’s trust fund and disbursed as grants to qualified entities, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 1361 § 1, 2008)
3.40.020 Definitions.
A. “Qualified entity” means:
1. A nonprofit corporation in good standing under the laws of the state of Washington, whose purpose is to assist in providing home ownership to very low-income or extremely low-income households and:
a. “Eligible project” means a project which would qualify as an “eligible housing activity,” as that phrase is defined in RCW 36.22.178(2)(a) through (d).
b. “Extremely low-income household” means a household with income at or below 30 percent of the area median income.
c. “Very low-income household” means a household with income at or below 50 percent of the area median income;
2. A nonprofit corporation that operates an emergency housing shelter for use supplementing their operating costs; or
3. A nonprofit corporation that provides rental assistance vouchers for housing units that are affordable to very low-income households at or below 50 percent of the area median income, if they maintain an existing rental assistance voucher program. Said program must be consistent with or similar to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 8 rental assistance voucher program standards. (Ord. 1691 § 1, 2020; Ord. 1361 § 2, 2008)
3.40.030 Applications.
A. Only qualified entities may apply for a grant. Grant applications made by entities providing services authorized in FHMC 3.40.020(A)(1) shall be filed with the town no later than June 1st of each year, using forms provided by the town. No fee shall be charged for the application.
B. The town administrator shall have authority to review applications to determine whether the applicant is a qualified entity and, where relevant, whether the proposed grant would be used entirely for an eligible project. Applications which meet these criteria shall be forwarded to the town council for their consideration. (Ord. 1691 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1361 § 3, 2008)
3.40.040 Approval.
A. The town council shall review all applications and approve, conditionally approve, or deny each application. Prior to making any decision on any application, the council may schedule a public hearing on the applications.
B. Priority shall be given to eligible projects that serve extremely low-income households.
C. No applicant shall be deemed to have a right to receive a grant, regardless of the merits of the proposed use. The council shall have complete discretion to deny all applications for any reason it considers proper. (Ord. 1361 § 4, 2008)
3.40.050 Conditions.
The council shall have the right to impose conditions on any approved application in order to assure that the grant funds are used in a manner consistent with the purposes of this chapter. (Ord. 1361 § 5, 2008)