Laurel Manor: A safe place to call home
April 14, 2025
Starla, 68, had a tough year. She broke several bones, experienced a back injury and could no longer live on her own. With her daughter’s help, she found a new home at Laurel Manor, 3333 N.E. 66th Ave. This special apartment community opened in January and offers 82 units to seniors who need safe, affordable housing. The City of Vancouver helped make it possible through our Affordable Housing Fund.
“I was the very first person interviewed,” said Starla. “I love it here, did you see the kitchen? It’s huge! That’s perfect because I love to bake.”
Before moving in, Starla faced big challenges. While she was in rehab, a rat infestation ruined most of her belongings in storage.
“I had to replace almost everything,” she said. “I still don’t have a bed, but I make it work. Paying rent always comes first.”
Starla lives on Social Security, receiving just over $1,000 a month. Finding an affordable place to live would have been challenging had it not been for her daughter’s advocating. At Laurel Manor, she pays $329 in rent for her one-bedroom apartment.
“It’s tight, but I’m thankful to have a safe place,” she said.
Even with health struggles, Starla stays active. While she can’t do the camping, hiking and salsa dancing she could prior to her injuries, she quilts, knits and bakes – eclairs and cheesecake are her specialty (and her four grandsons certainly don’t complain). The large kitchen in her apartment and shared community room make pursuing those hobbies much easier. This month, she’s sharing her passion by teaching a looming class to other Laurel Manor residents.
“Staying busy keeps me going,” said Starla.
How the City helped
The City of Vancouver and other partners helped make Laurel Manor possible by providing money and fee reductions, including:
- $2 million from the Affordable Housing Fund
- $357,539 from a state housing program
- Over $200,000 in waived City fees
Protecting seniors from homelessness
Many seniors in Clark County struggle to afford rent. Some live on just $943 a month, but the current market rate for a studio apartment in Vancouver is $1,628. Without help, many seniors could lose their homes. And some do. In 2023, 13% of Clark County’s homeless population was over the age of 55.
Laurel Manor gives seniors a safe place to live. Half of its 82 apartments go to people earning very low incomes, $23,700 for a single person or $27,000 for a married couple. The other half are reserved for those who make between 30 and 50% of the area median income, $39,500 for a single person and $45,000 for a couple. 17 units were reserved for seniors exiting homelessness. No one living here pays more than 30% of their income toward rent.
Residents also get help with healthcare, legal services and transportation, so they can live independently.
Working together
Creating homes like Laurel Manor takes teamwork. Columbia Nonprofit Housing, the Vancouver Housing Authority and the City all worked together to make it happen. Local groups, like the Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, also help seniors live safely and with dignity.
For seniors like Starla, Laurel Manor is more than just an apartment, it’s a fresh start. It’s proof that when a community works together, we can give people the stability they deserve.
