Citizens of Vancouver showed leadership by creating the Affordable Housing Fund in 2016. The fund shouldn’t, however, be viewed as a cure-all for solving the affordable housing crisis. Studies indicate our city and county needs between 3,000 and 6,000 additional low-cost living units to accommodate current demand. The Affordable Housing Fund can serve as a stimulus for additional efforts to grow the supply of low-cost housing for working families, youth transitioning out of foster care, seniors and the homeless transitioning to housing. Clark County and its cities should be aggressively evaluating how they can step forward to install programs/ordinances that encourage more low-cost housing.
Landlords can search their hearts and open up more units to renters who have HUD housing vouchers. Faith Partners for Housing, an interfaith group, is studying the possibilities of a shared housing program in which a person who has a home can rent a portion of their home to those losing their home due to rising rents. Vermont has just such a program; it’s successful due to thorough screening and mentoring/training of the landlord and tenant.
This crisis and Vancouver’s action on the Affordable Housing Fund provides an opportunity for everyone interested in a stable community to come together to find solutions.
