Vancouver receives $1M grant to make energy efficient upgrades to VHA housing

The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded the city of Vancouver a $1.03 million grant to implement energy efficiency retrofits at six affordable housing locations managed by the Vancouver Housing Authority.

The upgrades will include siding repair, window replacement for increased insulation, air sealing and heat pump installation, according to a news release.

The grant comes from the state’s Multifamily Building Efficiency Grant program, which funds projects that improve existing publicly owned facilities.

“These upgrades, to be implemented through our housing partner, VHA, will not only enhance the resilience of our housing stock but also improve the quality of life for those we serve,” said Samantha Whitley, Vancouver Housing Program manager

The retrofits are in line with the state’s goal of carbon pollution reduction and align with Vancouver’s adopted Climate Action Framework, the news release said.

Specifically, the upgrades will make residents who are vulnerable to extreme heat and wildfire smoke safer. The energy-efficient heat pump systems provide both air conditioning and heat.

“VHA was very excited to learn that the city was awarded funding,” Victor Caesar, chief real estate officer at VHA, said in the news release. “We are working to establish benchmarks to reduce our impact on the environment, and this opportunity gets us one step closer to our climate goals.”