BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Kulshan Community Land Trust (KCLT) has received a $2.25 million grant for an affordable housing development in Bellingham.

The grant was awarded by the state Department of Commerce’s Housing Trust Fund on Tuesday. The funds will go towards an 18-home development called LaFreniere Court, located in the city’s Birchwood neighborhood.

“We have been waiting on this piece to move the project forward, and it’s so exciting to have this funding lined up,” said KCLT executive director Dean Fearing. “It will allow [KCLT] to help 18 more families realize the dream of owning a home.”

The organization plans to break ground on the development this year.

The grant is part of $38.5 million awarded through the DOC’s Housing Trust Fund across the state this year, the largest ever investment by the program.

Blaine and Everson were the recipients of two more grants for affordable housing projects. Whatcom Skagit Housing was awarded $1.8 million for a 24-unit development in Blaine called Maple Ridge. Whatcom County Habitat for Humanity received just over $1 million for a 14-unit development in Everson called Mateo Meadows.

Find a full list of the grant recipients here.