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Community Development

2026 Affordable Rental Housing Development: Tax Credit RFP

Purpose

The intent of this solicitation is to increase the supply of income- and rent-restricted housing opportunities for lower-income (up to 60% of Area Median Income) households in Madison, with the expectation that funded developments will serve extremely-low income (30% AMI) households, households experiencing homelessness, and other targeted populations in close partnership with service providers.

Program funds are only available for projects that will utilize Low-Income Housing Tax Credits administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. This RFP provides gap financing to help cover the difference between total development costs and the amount that can be secured from other available sources. 

Process Overview

  1. Review RFP Guidelines and Resources

    Please read the RFP Guidelines and all Attachments carefully before completing your Rental Housing Development Application.  The Target Area Map and contract requirements are included for your information.

  2. Pre-Application Process

    Applicants are required to contact Community Development Division staff by July 9, 2026, to notify of the intent to apply.

    To discuss a potential proposal, contact Matt Frater, AICP, Community Development Specialist at mfrater@cityofmadison.com.

    The Community Development Division will coordinate a pre-application meeting with staff from Planning and Zoning Divisions to discuss site selection, zoning, and land use approval processes. When scheduling a meeting, please indicate that the meeting will be about a proposed project applying through the AHF-TC Request for Proposals.

  3. Attend or Watch Workshop

    The Community Development Division will hold an Application Workshop for developers interested submitting proposal(s) to this RFP on June 22nd from 2:00 – 3:30p. Staff will provide an overview of the AHF-TC RFP, the Affordable Housing Targeted Area Map, and key requirements and preferences including long-term affordability, Supportive Housing, and Sustainability.

    A link to register for the workshop is below.

    • Workshop Registration
    • Application Workshop Recording - Published after June 22
    • Application Workship Slides - Published after June 22

  4. Review the Timeline

    Dates represent the CDD’s anticipated timeline for providing a commitment of financing to selected projects. Any revision to the due date for submission of proposals will be made by addendum. All other dates are for planning purposes and may be adjusted without notice.

    DateRFP Activity
    June 11, 2026RFP Released
    June 22, 2026RFP Application Workshop 
    July 9, 2026DEADLINE FOR MAKING INITIAL STAFF CONTACT
    July 24, 2026 12PMDEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS
    July 24, 2026Deadline to Contact Common Council Office to Schedule Neighborhood Meeting
    August 13, 2026

    – Deadline to meet with Development Assistance Team (DAT)

    – Deadline to hold Neighborhood Meeting

    August 21, 2026CDD sends requests for Supplemental Application
    August 28, 2026Applicants to submit Supplemental Application
    Week of Aug. 31, 2026Applicant Presentations to Staff
    October 1, 2026Applicant Presentations to CDBG Committee
    November 2, 2026WHEDA Project Concept Submission
    November 24, 2026Staff funding recommendations submitted to Common Council
    November 30, 2026City Finance Committee considers funding recommendations
    December 3, 2026CDBG Committee reviews and acts on Staff funding recommendations
    December 8, 2026Common Council makes final funding decisions
    January 2027

    – Commitment Letters (Notification of Award) sent

    – Term Sheet Development

    December 2026 -

    January 2027

    		Deadline for full Land Use Application for all projects (or earlier if required by WHEDA). Final deadline will be communicated to proposers once 2027 Development Review Schedule is published
    February 5, 2027Full WHEDA Application Submission
    Mid 2027 - Mid 2028

    Anticipated contract effective date(s)/

    Start of Construction

  5. Fill out and Submit the Application

    Applications MUST be received by 12:00 pm CST (noon) on July 24, 2026.

    Proposals must be submitted to: CDDapplications@cityofmadison.com

    All proposals must be submitted electronically.

    Please download the Application and Budget Workbook below, and submit all documents listed in Attachment G: Proposal Submission Requirements.

    Proposals received after the deadline will not be accepted.

    You will receive a confirmation email once you have submitted your application(s). These email notifications are not auto-generated, so allow time for confirmation to be sent.

  6. Submitted Applications Summary

    To be posted after submission deadline. 

  7. Funding Award Recommendations

    To be posted once funding award recommendations are made.

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