MFTE and Incentive Zoning Compliance
The Seattle Office of Housing monitors multifamily properties with commitments through the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE), Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) and Incentive Zoning (IZ or Housing Bonus) programs. Property managers must ensure that all participating units meet affordability restrictions, determine income eligibility of all resident households, and calculate rents in accordance with program requirements. OH compliance staff review projects yearly and perform on-site file audits every one to three years. (Page last updated 6/12/2019)
Renters: This page is intended for property managers of buildings participating in the MFTE, MHA and IZ programs. Renters interested in applying for properties should review the materials under Private Apartment Buildings on the Office of Housing Find Housing page. Properties participating in the programs will have the most current information on vacancies and will conduct the income certification process. See the Renter's Guide for more detail.
Incentive Program Compliance Training
Affordable Housing Incentive Programs Compliance Training Opportunities
Trainings will be live webinars. Please register using the links below. An email will be sent several days before the webinar you have registered for with the link and other material.
- January 26th, 2023 10:00AM to 2:00pm Register Here
Program Compliance Resources
- MFTE/Incentive Zoning Compliance Manual (Effective 11/1/20) New
- MFTE/IZ Compliance Reference (Effective 11/1/20) New
Income and Rent Limits
- 2022 Income & Rent Limits (effective 5/1/22)
Utility Allowances
- Seattle Office of Housing programs primarily use the Seattle Housing Authority's (SHA) utility allowance when determining maximum rent levels (see Income & Rent Limits). These utility allowances are available on SHA's website. The "Utility Estimates" page lists allowances according to the utility types expected to be [aod bu the tenant household and by the number of bedrooms in the unit.
2022 Annual Reporting
Additional Resources
- Renter's Guide to the City of Seattle's MFTE and IZ Programs (Effective 11/1/20) New
- HUD 4350.3 REV-1 Chapter 5 Determining Income and Calculating Rent
- Fair Housing in Washington State for Property Owners and Managers
Income Verification
All properties participating in the MFTE and Incentive Zoning programs must certify that applicants are income eligible for the program(s). Property managers must:
- Have applicants disclose all income sources on Resident Eligibility Application (REA)
- Obtain documentation for each income source and asset disclosed by applicant
- Calculate total household income from source documentation and enter into Household Eligibility Certification (HEC)
- Household must be below the maximum allowable income limit and have all above documentation on file prior to signing a lease/renting unit
Refer to Compliance Manual and Compliance Reference above for more detail on income certification procedures. The latest version of forms accepted by the program will be found below.
MFTE/IZ Resident Application
Income and Household Verification Forms
- Employment Verification (04/21)
- Self-employment Verification (04/16)
- Non-Employment Affadavit (08/19)
- Unemployment Benefits Verification (04/16)
- Gift Affidavit (08/19)
- Pension Verification (04/16)
- Public Assistance Verification (08/19)
- Military Pay Verification (04/16)
- Child Support Affidavit (08/19)
- Student Certification (Effective 11/1/20) New
Asset Verification Forms
- Real Estate Evaluation Form (08/19)
- Annuity, Stock and 401k Verification (04/16)
- Life Insurance Verification (9/16)
Please note: The Under $5,000 in Household Assets Certification form has been removed and will no longer be accepted by the program for income certifications started on or after 6/17/2019.