Affordable Housing Fund

Vancouver voters approved the creation of a seven-year, $42 million Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) in 2016. This property tax levy was capped at $6 million per year. The revenue is used to buy, build and preserve low-income rental housing and support rental assistance and housing programs that help prevent or address homelessness.

This levy expired at the end of 2023 and was replaced by Vancouver voters following the passage of Proposition 3 in the Feb. 2023 special election. The replacement levy will provide ongoing funding for the Affordable Housing Fund at increased levels over the next decade.

How was the revenue spent in 2023?*

• Housing production: $1.18 million (17 new units serving people earning under 50% of the Area Median Income, 76 total units)
• Housing preservation: $1.25 million (17 existing units serving people earning under 50% of the Area Median Income, 49 total units)
• Homelessness prevention: $3.5 million (423 households stabilized)
• Temporary shelter: $730,000 (750 shelter beds, 725 motel vouchers) 
• Administration: $412,309

*The revenue spent came from taxes collected in 2022 and in previous years.

Results

• 948 units being rented (873 restricted to people with low income)
• 381 units being rented to people previously experiencing homelessness
• 310 households received rental assistance
• 3 projects currently under construction
• 45 shelter beds supported through ongoing operational support

Highlighted projects

An affordable place to live, work and grow in the heart of Vancouver

$1.5 million was invested to support the construction of Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E. Fourth Plain Boulevard, a mixed-use development providing 106 units of permanently affordable housing managed by the Vancouver Housing Authority and a multi-purpose community-serving space managed by Fourth Plain Forward on the ground floor. The community opened Sept. 2023.

Community features

• A spacious community room with a kitchen
• A computer lab
• An outdoor recreation space with walking paths, seating areas and a playground
• Two-thirds of the units are two- and three-bedroom apartments, helping meet the critical need for affordable, family-sized housing in Southwest Washington

Providing hope, home to foster youth and their families

$1.17 million was awarded to support Nám’u qas, 5115 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave., a housing development for young people who are aging out of the foster care system and/or experiencing homelessness. This community is managed by the Vancouver Housing Authority and opened in Aug. 2023.

Community features

• Eight spacious one-bedroom units
• 22 spacious two-bedroom units reserved for tenants with children
• Indoor children’s play area
• Colorful original artwork by local artists lines the community’s main hallways
• Access to supportive services as residents work toward self-sufficiency.

People exiting the foster care system face unique challenges and are at a higher risk of becoming homeless. Nám’u qas is a Cowlitz Tribe word that means “to wish or hope” and that’s exactly what this community allows residents to do. More information about the Affordable Housing Fund.