Groups granted $1.14 million for housing programs

The state Department of Commerce’s Housing Trust Fund awarded $9.9 million for 23 housing preservation projects in Washington, including $1.14 million for three projects in Vancouver.

In a Thursday news release, the Department of Commerce said the funds will preserve rental and shelter units.

“Not only does our state need new units of affordable housing and additional housing in general, we need to remember that our 30-year portfolio continues to provide safe and decent housing to our most vulnerable populations,” Diane Klontz, commerce assistant director for community services and housing, said in the news release. “But it is aging and in dire need of continuous reinvestment to keep the existing units online.”

• Columbia Non-Profit Housing was awarded $160,432 for Fort Vancouver Apartments at 2509 Columbia St. to upgrade 19 apartments that house individuals with chronic mental health issues. The project’s total cost is $221,482.

• Vancouver Housing Authority received $500,000 for Orchards Inn, the emergency shelter at 5609 N.E. 102nd Ave., which is operated by Share and shelters up to 50 people at a time. The total cost of improving the shelter is $609,246.

• The housing authority was also awarded $485,435 for another shelter it owns, Valley Homestead at 4921 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave. The total cost of the preservation project is $584,727. The housing authority previously submitted an application for funding for Valley Homestead from Vancouver’s Affordable Housing Fund.