In November, Vancouver residents sent a message to the city council: ease the affordable housing crisis.
On Monday night, councilors kicked off the process. Their goal is to figure out the best way to spend $6 million annually for the next seven years to ensure they preserve existing affordable housing, create new units and help the city’s most vulnerable stay in their homes.
More than 57 percent of Vancouver voters approved Proposition 1, the property tax increase to help with affordable housing.
Peggy Sheehan, the community development program manager with the city, said Vancouver residents made it clear they want tangible outcomes.
The need, after all, is evident.
“There are so many people who can’t pay their rent and there’s another large group that is homeless,” Sheehan said, adding that “Vancouver is amazing. They came together with the goal of trying to help. …For us, at the city, it feels like a vote of confidence. They trust us to manage funding and fill the need for these folks.”
The city is hoping to leverage the funds by working with community partners to enhance current programs that are available. The fund will be dedicated to only the most low-income households, those earning up to 50 percent of the area median income, which is $36,650 for a family of four.
The city will prioritize seniors, families with children, people with disabilities, veterans and the homeless. To be eligible for help, there is a residency requirement of 30 days in Vancouver.
On Monday night, the city outlined its timeline.
Nonprofits or private housing developers who are interested in applying for the funds will have clear procedures and policies to follow by January. Applications will be available online in February or March, and the city will offer workshops to help interested parties in understanding the criteria and best ways to apply. In the spring, a review committee will evaluate the applications with the goal of contracts being awarded by the end of summer 2017.
Councilor Bill Turlay asked Sheehan about accountability measures. He said he wants to ensure taxpayers can easily find out how their money is being spent.
“How do we plan to do that?” he asked.
Sheehan said the city plans to rely heavily on the its website, which will have a clear graph showing the money the city received and how it’s allocated, along with posting quarterly reports.
“With the source of revenue as well as the expenditures?” Turlay asked.
“Correct,” Sheehan said.
A contract also will be created for anyone who receives the funds. If the dollars aren’t being spent appropriately, Vancouver will demand that the money is returned.
Next, the city plans to discuss whether a housing commission should be created and whether to move forward with building a homeless shelter.
Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt said the city should move swiftly to build another homeless shelter.
“We need to charge full steam ahead,” he said.
