Affordable Housing Fund
Overview
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) supports people experiencing very low-income in Vancouver through affordable housing development, rental assistance and homelessness services. In 2016, voters approved a $42 million property tax levy to support AHF projects through 2023. In 2023, this levy was renewed by voters to provide $100 million in AHF funding from 2024 through 2033.
The City will make funding available to community partners for projects and programs that:
- Build and preserve long-term affordable housing in Vancouver.
- Provide temporary shelter to people experiencing homelessness.
- Provide rental assistance and services to help households avoid an eviction or access a rental unit.
This funding aims to increase affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing low incomes within the City of Vancouver, with a focus on:
- Households earning below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for rental units.
- Households earning below 80% of the AMI for homeownership opportunities.
Note: If you live in Vancouver, WA and are seeking rental assistance or other housing services, please contact the Housing Hotline at 360-695-9677.
Read: Housing Story: Turning Darkness into Purpose.
Affordable Housing Fund Application
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) application process will open on Monday, January 27, 2025. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, please review the AHF Rolling Applications Guidelines.
Key Details:
- Information Session: January 22, 2025, at 10 am via Microsoft Teams. RSVP via e-mail to hayley.woodbridge@cityofvancouver.us.
- Funding Amount: Up to $9.5 million available annually from 2025 through 2033.
- Pre-Application Open Date: January 27, 2025, at 8 am via Neighborly. Link will be made available on webpage.
- Application Process: Approved pre-applications will be granted access to the full application. Applications will be reviewed quarterly in the order they are received.
- Award Announcements: Targeting quarterly, beginning April 2025, but timing may vary depending on the number of applications and project evaluations.
For more information, please contact hayley.woodbridge@cityofvancouver.us.
Updates
The 2024 Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) applications are closed. If you are a housing developer or service provider, please email Hayley Woodbridge at hayley.woodbridge@cityofvancouver.us to be notified about future applications.
If you live in Vancouver, WA and are seeking rental assistance or other housing services, please contact the Housing Hotline at 360-695-9677.
Housing Stories
Please take a moment to check out the Housing Story: Turning Darkness into Purpose.
Eligible Affordable Housing Fund Recipients
Developers, nonprofits, and other housing providers whose projects will provide housing for low-income households in Vancouver are eligible to apply for the AHF. Through the City selection process, priority will be given to applicants with a demonstrated ability to develop, own, and/or manage affordable housing.
Eligible Recipients:
- Nonprofit agencies with the primary mission of providing housing.
- Public housing authorities.
- Private for-profit firms with experience developing, owning, and managing multifamily rental housing.
- Private property owners with experience developing, owning, and managing multifamily rental housing.
Ineligible Recipients:
- Households
- Homeowner, homebuyers or tenants with low income must access assistance through programs operated by the City, or through a nonprofit or other housing agency contracted with the City.
To be added to the waitlist for AHF applications, please email Hayley Woodbridge at hayley.woodbridge@cityofvancouver.us.
Documents
Contact
For more information about the Affordable Housing Fund, please contact Samantha Whitley, Community Development Manager, at samantha.whitley@cityofvancouver.us.
Affordable Housing Fund Investments Dashboard
Affordable Housing Fund Investment | City of Vancouver Open Data Hub (arcgis.com)
