CoE Affordable Housing NOFA 2026_servicesfinal

Home Browse Search

1. INTRODUCTION & HOUSING NEEDS The City of Ellensburg is accepting proposals from service providers to meet urgent housing needs in the City of Ellensburg. Proposals may be submitted by a single organization that meets all the criteria or by a partnership between organizations that collectively meet all the criteria. This NOFA does not have a set closing date; applications will be reviewed and evaluated as received. Applicants are encouraged to meet with City staff prior to submitting an application for funding, particularly if they are unsure if proposed activities are eligible for funding.Applications that are deemed complete and meet eligibility criteria by City staff will be reviewed and evaluated by the Affordable Housing Commission with its award recommendations forwarded to City Council as the final decision-maker. Cost-burdened households One of the best indicators of affordable housing needs is the number of cost-burdened households. A household is considered cost-burdened if they spend more than 30% of their income on housing and basic utility costs. Cost- burdened households have limited resources left over to pay for other necessities such as food, clothing, medical care, transportation, and education, and are also at higher risk of displacement when housing costs rise or life circumstances change. Based on the most recent available Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy data (calculated for 2022), there were an estimated 2,870 renter households and 589 homeowner households that were cost- burdened in Ellensburg, about 39%of all households and 54%of renter households. About half of older adults who live alone were cost-burdened. Cost burdens are highest among populations with lower incomes; for example 90%of households with incomes below 30%of Area Median Income (AMI)(in 2026 about$26,000 annually for a household of two people or $32,000 for a household for four people)were cost-burdened. Displacement risk Based on Washington State Department of Commerce mapping data that incorporates home price and rent changes, as well as demographic changes and renter percentage of the population, most of Ellensburg's census tracts indicate a heightened displacement risk. In addition, in a 2026 survey,45%of renters respondents and 40% homeowner respondents expressed concerns about displacement due to rent and utility costs or home maintenance costs and/or property tax increases. Homelessness Annual point in time (PIT) counts identified 26 people in in 2025 and a preliminary results for 2026 identified 45 people experiencing homelessness in Kittitas County, many of whom live in Ellensburg. During the 2025-2026 season, an average of 11 people per night used the Cold Weather Shelter. 2. 2026 AVAILABLE FUNDS In November 2017, Ellensburg voters approved a one tenth of one percent increase in City sales tax for housing and related services consistent with RCW 82.14.530.The purpose of this local funding source is to support housing and related services in the City of Ellensburg. Per state law, housing created with these funds or contracted services are required to serve households earning no more than 60%of AMI. 2026 Notice of Funding Availability—Affordable Housing Sales Tax—Housing Services Page 2 of 7