Opportunity Overview
The Washington State Department of Commerce is accepting applications for the 2026 Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP). CHIP helps local governments support affordable housing development by reducing or covering qualifying infrastructure costs associated with new housing.
Funding and Deadline
Commerce states that approximately $31 million is available in this round, including $25.8 million for eligible jurisdictions statewide and $5.2 million for projects in eligible jurisdictions with populations under 150,000. Competitive awards may be up to $2 million. Applications are due September 30, 2026. The controlling public Commerce pages reviewed do not publish an exact closing time or time zone, so applicants should not assume one.
Eligible Applicants
An applicant must be a Washington city, county, or public utility district working in partnership with an affordable housing developer. Projects must meet the program’s statutory and project criteria, including location in an eligible jurisdiction and urban growth area, at least 25 percent of units set aside as affordable to low or moderate income households, construction beginning within 24 months of award, and a strong probability of maintaining affordability for at least 25 years.
Eligible Activities
CHIP may reimburse qualifying infrastructure activities including water and sewer line upsizing, utility extensions serving infill development, water, sewer, and stormwater connections for affordable housing, qualifying utility connections for mixed market rate and affordable projects, regional stormwater systems or upgrades needed for housing development, and eligible system development charges waived for affordable housing.
Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through ZoomGrants. Applicants should review the current Notice of Funding Opportunity, CHIP Handbook, application questions, published questions and answers, and any current amendments or clarifications before submission. The public Commerce pages reviewed do not state a mandatory match or cost share requirement, so applicants should verify the controlling NOFO and handbook rather than infer one.
N9+ / QC Strategic Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 60/100. N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. CHIP is a substantial Washington funding opportunity, but its published eligible activities are affordable housing infrastructure and utility improvements rather than clinical care, healthcare technology, telehealth, or N9+ deployment. Atlas should not force an N9+ or QC Healthcare fit.
Next Action
Eligible Washington jurisdictions should confirm statutory eligibility, document the partnership with an affordable housing developer, review all current Commerce materials and amendments, and submit through ZoomGrants by September 30, 2026.