National Housing Trust Fund Program (NHTF)
The NHTF program funds the creation and preservation of affordable rental housing for extremely low-income Californians through long-term, federally-backed loans and grants for new construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation.
Funder: California Department of Housing & Community Development
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (OTC application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20 million per project; total funding pool varies annually (recent cycles ~$39M–$100M); 55-year affordability term required.
Summary: Supports the creation and preservation of affordable rental housing for extremely low-income households in California through long-term, dedicated federal funding.
Key Information: This is a forecasted cycle—dates and funding levels are subject to change; check the program page for updates.
Description
The National Housing Trust Fund Program (NHTF), administered by the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD), is a federal initiative aimed at increasing and preserving the supply of affordable rental housing for extremely low-income households (≤30% of Area Median Income or below the poverty line). Funded through dedicated assessments on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, the NHTF provides deferred payment or forgivable loans (and grants for Native American Entities) to support the new construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of permanent multifamily rental housing. Projects must ensure long-term affordability—typically 55 years (50 years on Native American lands)—and comply with strict income and rent limits as set by HUD.
