City Council approves $11.15 million to help create or preserve 330 affordable rental homes

City Council approves $11.15 million to help create or preserve 330 affordable rental homes

May 13, 2025

The City of Vancouver has awarded $11.15 million from its Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to help create or preserve 330 affordable rental homes with a focus on seniors, people with disabilities and individuals exiting homelessness. City Council approved a resolution adopting the AHF award recommendations during their Monday, May 12 meeting.

"This funding underscores our continued dedication to tackling the affordable housing crisis head-on," said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. "The important projects supported by this investment will help ensure that the most vulnerable in our community have access to safe, stable and affordable homes, fostering a more inclusive and resilient community."

In January 2025 the City opened an application process to allocate up to $9.5 million from its AHF with a focus on funding requests for housing production and preservation. Six applications were received requesting nearly $14.9 million in funding. After review by the Housing Advisory Committee, five projects were recommended, totaling $11.15 million in AHF awards:

• Community Roots Collaborative - C-Roots Mill Plain Tiny Homes: $1.05 million supporting 20 new units (permanent supportive housing for households exiting homelessness)

• Palindrome - Artifact at Vancouver Heights District (site C): $4.1 million to support 109 new units (new mixed-income development with units for people with disabilities)

• Mid-Columbia Manor - Smith Tower preservation: $2 million to support the preservation of 170 existing units (rehabilitation of iconic senior apartment building to improve life/safety features)

• Vancouver Housing Authority - Vancouver Heights District site P (senior housing): $1 million forward commitment to support 51 new units (new senior housing with on-site services and community amenities)

• Vancouver Housing Authority - Vancouver Heights District site P (family housing): $3 million forward commitment to support 80 new units (new family housing with supportive services and outdoor space)

These projects will create or preserve rental homes serving households earning 30% to 60% of the area median income. They were prioritized by community need, project readiness and project feasibility.

The application process for AHF remains open on a rolling basis, with quarterly review periods throughout the year.

About the Affordable Housing Fund

Since its inception in 2016, the City's AHF has been instrumental in supporting affordable housing initiatives in Vancouver. In 2023, voters approved Proposition 3, a property tax levy that increased the AHF's funding from $6 million to $10 million annually through 2033. This funding supports projects that build and preserve affordable housing, provide temporary shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness, offer rental assistance and assist low-income homeowners and homebuyers.

Media contacts: Samantha Whitley, housing manager, samantha.whitley@cityofvancouver.us

Tim Becker, strategic communications manager, tim.becker@cityofvancouver.us