Jan. 17—Reliable Enterprises in Centralia will receive $2.75 million in state funds for expansion of its Reliable Homes II project, according to a news release from the Washington state Department of Commerce.
The project is among 27 to receive funding through an effort to help finance affordable housing construction and rehabilitation in 12 counties across Washington. The collective efforts are expected to result in 1,282 new affordable housing units in the state, according to the news release.
“The Washington Legislature made a historic investment in the Housing Trust Fund in the 2023-2025 Capital Budget that is growing the capacity of our housing partners ready to deliver thousands of new affordable housing units across every region of the state,” Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn stated in the release. “Housing affordability and availability, especially for some of our most vulnerable communities, is an ongoing challenge, and remains a top priority for our work with the Legislature, local governments and affordable housing developers and service providers.”
Reliable Enterprises, the Centralia School District and community partners announced the grand opening of the Reliable Homes II apartment complex in Centralia, housing aimed at serving students with families experiencing homelessness, in December 2023.
According to the state Department of Commerce, the funding announced Thursday will result in seven additional low-income housing units. The total cost of the development was estimated at $2.815 million.
“The awards announced today represent a rigorous evaluation process in which the most impactful of 86 applications were recommended for funding,” the Department of Commerce stated in the release. “Applications for funding were submitted by community-based organizations, nonprofit housing assistance organizations, tribes, local housing authorities and local governments in response to two separate solicitations. Applicants represent a wide range of communities in all 39 Washington counties. Total requests for funding from state and federal sources topped $355 million.
Projects awarded funding prioritized housing for residents earning 30% or less of the area median income in some cases.
“Future residents of these buildings may include those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, seniors, veterans, families with dependent children, those affected by medical challenges and adults impacted by structural forces like poverty and racism,” the Department of Commerce stated in the release.
Learn more about Reliable Enterprises at https://reliableenterprises.org.
