Vancouver Housing Authority is considering building a 50-unit assisted living facility for homeless people with behavioral health issues, something that would be the first of its kind in Clark County.
Executive Director Roy Johnson said he’s noticed that the housing authority’s assisted living facilities for seniors and its Housing First facility, Lincoln Place, a 30-unit apartment complex for formerly homeless people, can’t accommodate everyone. Although residents of Lincoln Place can access services and support, it’s not meant to provide one-on-one care.
Those who need more individualized care may struggle at Lincoln Place.
“There’s not another place for them,” Johnson said.
In its first two years Lincoln Place housed 46 people. Two people moved “up and out” from Lincoln Place and 14 others had negative exits where they were either evicted or rehoused through other programs, according to data from the housing authority.
The activity has demonstrated that some people need a housing option that’s not independent living but that’s also not an institution. A report from Clark County Community Services said it “recognizes there is a need to increase the availability of affordable housing options for people who are experiencing behavioral health challenges.”
The housing authority plans to apply for the next round of funding from the state Housing Trust Fund due in September, which prioritizes projects that target people with behavioral health issues.
That encompasses people with chronic mental health or substance abuse issues who have a “diminished ability to live independently,” said a resolution presented Thursday at the housing authority’s board meeting.
The board of directors approved a $500,000 pre-development loan to complete architectural, environmental and other activities prior to submitting an application for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which would make up the bulk of the funding for the estimated $13 million project. That application would be submitted in January.
“I think it’s fantastic that you’re working toward building these units,” said commissioner Greg Kimsey, who moved to approve the resolution.
However, board chair Art Miles was the lone ‘no’ vote. He said the structure sounds great, but that it’s only as good as the service provider working with tenants.
Johnson said he would use a service provider tailored to the tenants’ behavioral health needs — different from the provider used at VHA’s existing assisted living facilities — and has looked into a provider doing a similar project in Portland.
