Vancouver, Wash. – The City of Vancouver is currently accepting applications for $600,000 in homeless shelter project grants. Funding for the grants comes from the Affordable Housing Fund which was approved by voters in 2016.

Applications are due by July 31. Links to the application guidelines and the online application are available at www.cityofvancouver.us/affordablehousingfund.

Eligible projects include purchase or construction of new shelters or the rehabilitation of existing homeless shelter properties to complete health, safety, livability or accessibility improvements, with or without increasing the number of beds. Projects must be located within the city limits of Vancouver. Non-profit agencies, for-profit businesses and private property owners may apply for funds. Applicants must demonstrate (or have partners that demonstrate) experience owning and/or managing an existing homeless shelter.

The City will hold an optional workshop for interested applicants from 3 – 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, in the Aspen Room at Vancouver City Hall, 415 W. 6th St. Potential applicants can learn more about the grants and get questions answered at the workshop.

Grant funding recommendations will be made to Vancouver City Council in September 2018. 

The Affordable Housing Fund was created when Vancouver voters approved Proposition 1 in the November 2016 general election. The passage of the proposition granted the City the ability to levy a property tax for the purpose of buying, building and preserving low-income rental housing and preventing homelessness through rental assistance and other house services. For more information about the Affordable Housing Fund, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/affordablehousingfund

To request the application guidelines in another format or language, please contact Dannell Norby at 360-487-7953, TTY: (360) 487-8602, WA Relay: 711 or by email, danell.norby@cityofvancouver.us.