The idea of converting a Hazel Dell wedding venue into a 60-bed homeless shelter doesn’t appear to be panning out.
When the Vancouver City Council discussed the idea at Monday’s meeting, however, it triggered questions about the city’s Affordable Housing Fund: Can money from the fund be used for a project outside of city limits? Can the allotment of money be changed?
If yes, should it?
In November, voters approved Proposition 1, a new property levy that will bring in $6 million dollars a year for seven years to be spent on building and preserving affordable homes, as well as providing rental assistance and services for low-income households.
The spending plan included 5 percent toward temporary shelter, but buying the Hostess House in Hazel Dell and converting it into a shelter would take up a bigger percentage of the fund. The idea was for the Vancouver Housing Authority to purchase the Hostess House at 10017 N.E. Sixth Ave., with the Affordable Housing Fund covering the $1.8 million rehab as well as the seven-year operating costs: $800,000 annually, or $5.6 million over seven years.