Apple Health and Homes Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) Units

The contract for the Apple Health and Homes Project-Based Rental Assistance Units is a grant-funded initiative administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce aimed at establishing permanent supportive housing units in King County and the North Central Behavioral Health Region, including Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, and Grant counties. The program seeks proposals from eligible non-profit, public, tribal, and other qualified entities to develop and operate supportive housing for vulnerable populations, with funding capped at approximately 1.47 million dollars for the 2025-2027 biennium. The awarded contracts will be based on a competitive scoring process that emphasizes project readiness, applicant experience, compliance with state and federal policies—such as workers’ rights and diverse business inclusion—and geographic priorities, notably giving preference to King County projects with existing capital awards and tribal entities. The application deadline is September 30, 2025, with contracts anticipated to commence around November 14, 2025, and run through June 30, 2027, with potential biennial renewals contingent on funding. The contractual framework incorporates several exhibits that define mandatory certifications, application procedures, inclusion plans, and sample payment agreements, but does not specify federal clauses or standard procurement language such as FAR clauses. The contract emphasizes compliance with state laws including Chapter 216 of the Laws of 2022, RCW 42.52, and Executive Order 18-03, particularly regarding workers’ rights and prohibitions on waivers of collective or class action rights. Applicants are required to submit signed certifications and assurances, a detailed application workbook, a diverse business inclusion plan, and a workers’ rights certification, all of which influence scoring and eligibility. The funding is provided as rental assistance payments to property owners or their agents for leased units, with no explicit line-item or unit pricing detailed in the solicitation; the total available funds support the development of project-based units aligned with the program’s supportive housing objectives. The process is structured as a best-value selection, with evaluation criteria including project readiness, applicant experience, and compliance, and offers opportunities for virtual presentations from top applicants. Payment will be made electronically via the Statewide Vendor Number system, with no specific delivery or inspection requirements outlined, as the focus is on programmatic support rather than physical procurement. Overall, the contract emphasizes compliance with state policies, timely project implementation, and equitable participation, with clear procedures for application submission, evaluation, and contract administration.