Vancouver gives $628K to Share, Housing Authority

The city of Vancouver distributed $628,237 to organizations providing shelter for homeless residents Monday evening, the first distribution of its kind from the Affordable Housing Fund since it was created by voters in 2016.

This round of funding brings the total to more than $6.2 million.

Three shelters will benefit: Valley Homestead, SafeChoice and Share House. Valley Homestead and SafeChoice are both operated by the Vancouver Housing Authority.

Valley Homestead will use $252,533 to demolish and renovate restrooms at its family shelter at 4921 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave. New restroom facilities will allow the shelter to increase the number of people it serves from 50 to 62.

SafeChoice, which serves victims of domestic violence and does not advertise its address, will receive $219,104. The funds will be used to improve accessibility to the kitchen and make the building’s heating and cooling systems more energy efficient.

SafeChoice will also be able to improve its outdoor space and partially fund new play equipment to make a more healing environment for the families staying at the shelter.

Share House will receive $156,600 to help fund improvements at the men’s shelter, located at 1115 W. 13th St. Share will use the money to update its ventilation systems as well as restroom and shower facilities that serve 30 people.

The homeless shelter portion of the Affordable Housing Fund only had $600,000 allocated for distribution. Community and Economic Development Programs Manager Peggy Sheehan said the city was able to use a portion of its $180,000 budget set aside for administrative costs and project implementation to bridge the gap.

“The three applications for improvements are for the critical shelters in our community,” Sheehan said. “We are excited to be able to use the Affordable Housing Funds to help make these improvements.”