Local agencies and nonprofit organizations completed new affordable housing buildings across Vancouver in 2024 with the hope of addressing the housing crisis.
Ten new projects — tiny homes, apartments and houses — either broke ground or opened doors to residents this year.
“We need it all,” said Peggy Sheehan, executive director of Community Roots Collaborative, which opened seven tiny homes at 3600 O St. in October. “I think that having the variety is very helpful to not only people that are looking for a place to live, but to the community as well.”
Vancouver Housing Authority
Above a row of tents, the sharp clang of a hammer rang out from Vancouver Housing Authority’s project at 1110 W, 13th St. Construction on Lincoln Place II is well underway next door to the first Lincoln Place. Since breaking ground in August, framing of the first floor has already been completed. When finished, Lincoln Place II will offer 40 affordable housing units.
Lincoln Place II will provide housing to people coming out of chronic homelessness and who have complex physical and behavioral health conditions. The expected completion date is October.
VHA also completed Laurel Manor, which will welcome about 80 residents early next year. The complex, 3333 N.E. 66th Ave., in Vancouver, is designed for those 62 and older. Half the units will be for those who make 30 percent or less of the area’s median income — $23,700 for a single person or $27,000 for a married couple. The other half will be for those who make between 30 percent and 50 percent of the median income — $39,500 for a single person and $45,000 for a couple.
Seventeen of the units will be reserved for those who are exiting homelessness.
All of the units will qualify for rental subsidies, so none of the residents will pay more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.
In addition to new construction, VHA has successfully acquired and fully leased multiple properties, expanding its housing offerings. The 98-unit Cascara Apartments, 4902 94th Ave., is now ready to accept new residents.
In addition to these new buildings, VHA is also remodeling existing properties. A multiphase renovation project started in November across nine buildings at Cougar Creek, 8415 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave. The project is expected to be completed by December. Meanwhile, Esther Short Apartments, 555 W. Eighth St., is undergoing significant interior upgrades, with the project slated for completion by August.
Filing gaps
Several new housing projects in Clark County target vulnerable populations such as families, seniors and individuals in recovery.
OHM West, a 30-unit building by Open House Ministries, opened in October at 1212 Jefferson St. to provide affordable housing for families transitioning from the nonprofit’s shelter. Similarly, Thrive2Survive opened The Dewey House in Vancouver’s Meadow Homes neighborhood in February. It’s a recovery home for men coming from treatment, homelessness or incarceration.
The 65-unit Felida Park Senior Housing is under construction at 12314 N.W. 36th Ave. It will serve low-income people ages 55 and older when it opens in 2026. The project, led by Specialized Housing Inc., addresses a growing need, with 13 percent of Clark County’s homeless population being older than 55.
Additionally, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity recently opened Johnson Village, a new subdivision in east Vancouver. Wolf Industries, a tiny-home builder, developed and opened a cottage cluster in the Odgen neighborhood. The one- and two-bedroom cottages rent at below market rate —about $1,550 a month. The cottages are a great option for younger, working professionals, families or senior couples looking to downsize, said Derek Huegel, owner for Wolf Industries.
Looking forward
Community Roots Collaborative finished the final component of its O Street project, which converted a former Sikh temple on the site into 12 Oxford-style rooms for men. The men’s group home has been open since summer 2023.
In October, the nonprofit celebrated the completion of seven tiny homes designed for families. The project was supported by state and local grants, including from the city of Vancouver’s Affordable Housing Fund and the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Wolf Industries developed the property. Sheehan, executive director of Community Roots, said the project wouldn’t have been successful without community support.
The units are available to people who make 30 percent or less of the median area income — about $2,000 a month. The tiny-homes community aims to break the cycle of homelessness by linking residents with supportive services.
Four of the seven homes are filled by families. More residents will move in after completing the application process.
“It’s just rewarding because it does kind of feel like this is the golden ticket for people moving in,” Sheehan said. “It’s just kind of heartbreaking that you can’t do it for everyone. … We’re excited to look forward to our next project.”