Affordable housing cleanup grants

Ecology has developed the Affordable Housing Cleanup Grant Program (AHCGP) to help advance environmental cleanups for affordable housing developments. This program includes both cleanup and planning grants. Affordable Housing Cleanup Grants can cover remedial action costs, including planning, investigative, and technical work needed to clean up contaminated sites. The purpose of the AHCGP is to expedite the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites into affordable housing use and lessen the impact of cleanup costs.

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Funding cycle

Amount of funding available: To be determined for the 2027–29 biennium
Grant award limit: none
Amount of matching funds required: Varies by project

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

Ecology will hold a public comment period for grant program changes in fall 2026. The solicitation for the 2027-29 biennium is expected, pending funding, in spring or early summer 2027.

If you have questions about a potential cleanup project for affordable housing development and whether it qualifies for an AHCG, contact Laurie Dahmen.

Funding is available for the following entities:

An AHCG can be awarded to any person, including public or private affordable housing developer(s), to investigate and remediate a contaminated site under an order or consent decree to help redevelop the property or properties for affordable housing use after remediation activities.

Environmental site assessments
Remedial investigations
Feasibility studies
Cleanup construction
Interim actions
Site planning
Community involvement

More information about this funding program

Cleanup Grants Supporting Affordable Housing

The competitive Affordable Housing Cleanup Grant program started in the 2023-25 biennium. Since then, Ecology has conducted three solicitations and awarded a total of 14 grants. While many projects are making great progress, several others are no longer moving forward. Based on an external review and lessons learned, Ecology is proposing a restructure and renaming of the grant program. Project funding would be awarded each biennium in two phases, one competitive and the second based on substantive progress. A public comment period for detailed grant program proposed changes will be held in fall 2026.

Additional related links:

Cultural resource review

For ground-disturbing remedial actions to be eligible for grant funding, Ecology or another state or federal agency must consult with the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and affected Tribes before cleanup actions begin. Read more about our cultural resource review requirement.