Community Based Organization (CBO) Partnerships

Helpful Links

These links are a helpful starting place for CBOs who may be interested in affordable housing development.

Strategic Planning Resources

Learn About LIHTC

Helpful Links

(Updated December 2025)

Background

This webpage is for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) interested in developing and owning affordable housing with support from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC). The Commission is focusing on building relationships with these CBOs as part of its renewed commitment to equity, transparency, and meaningful engagement. The Commission is beginning this work in the Bond/4% program by building relationships with CBOs who have expressed a desire for support. This webpage serves as a starting point for engagement, fostering connections, and providing resources specifically for CBOs.

This is a page in development-please check back often as we update it with new resources, policies, and opportunities for engagement.

We want to partner with you, support you, and hear from you! Learn more about us and tell us more about yourself here: Interest Form

CBO-Developer Partnerships

CBO-Developer partnerships are intended to improve the experience of residents living in 4% buildings and promote the capacity development of Community-Based Organizations, particularly residents and communities from BIPOC and marginalized backgrounds. Points are allocated based on the inclusion of a CBO in operations, cashflow, and decision making, as well as the ownership share of a CBO.

Program Connection Points

Bond/4% Tax Credit Program

The Bond/4% tax credit program provides financing for affordable apartments using federal tax-exempt bonds and Low Income Housing Tax Credits. In 2021, the Commission introduced new policies and scoring criteria for this competitive program, prioritizing developers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and community-based organizations.

Section 4.5 of the Bond/4% Tax Credit Policy attempts to codify a practice of including, expanding, and giving ownership to BIPOC-led and community-based organizations by allocating points based on the extent of these partnerships. Housing projects that involve and are owned by BIPOC-led and community-based organizations receive extra points in the competition.

We also award extra points when a housing developer includes a CBO in ownership, operations, cashflow, and decision making, as well as the engagement of potential residents. Encouraging these partnerships is intended to increase the development capacity of community-based organizations and improve the experience of residents in buildings financed through the program, especially residents who are BIPOC or from other marginalized communities.

Resources for CBOS

  • Housing Development Consortium CBO Affinity Group
    • As part of a joint community building effort by WSHFC and HDC, the CBO Affinity group formed in 2023 as a cross-sector platform for capacity building through policy change, knowledge sharing and cataloguing best practices of community-driven development. Meetings are held monthly and are intended for housing development-oriented CBOs and interested parties.
    • Housing Development Consortium CBO Affinity Group Meetings
    • CBO Affinity Group Summary
      In July 2025, the Commission compiled a summary of the Affinity Group's work in consideration of next steps to promote transparency. The document discusses key themes and next steps for CBO feedback across 2 categories: how CBO insights "confirmed" the ongoing work of the Commission, and how it continues to inform "in progress" work.

Technical Assistance, Capacity Building, and General Resources

Capital Funding Sources for CBOs

Statewide
Seattle/King County Resources
Tacoma/Pierce County Resources
Everett/Snohomish County Resources
Olympia/Thurston County
Spokane/Spokane County
Bellingham/Whatcom County
Vancouver/Clark County

Nonprofit Facilities (Non-Housing)

Are you a nonprofit seeking to buy, build, renovate or refinance a non-housing facility? The Commission's Nonprofit Facilities Program is a smart way to save money and maximize your capital campaign. Relevant resources for nonprofits are available on the Nonprofit Facilities Webpage.

Questions

You are invited to start your relationship with WSHFC by reaching out to Keri Williams, Nonprofit and Community Outreach Lead. Keri (she/her pronouns) can be reached at keri.williams@wshfc.org.