Vancouver Housing Authority sizes up plot for tiny homes in Fruit Valley

Vancouver Housing Authority plans to purchase three tiny homes to place on an underutilized lot in Fruit Valley and rent them out to low-income households. It would be the first project of its kind for the housing authority.

“Part of my motivation here is to see if these types of projects work,” said Executive Director Roy Johnson.

Johnson said he also saw an opportunity to work with a local housing manufacturer to develop affordable housing — in this case, Battle Ground-based tiny home builder Wolf Industries.

On Thursday, the housing authority’s board of commissioners approved $550,000 in unrestricted funds to pay for the units and site work. Vancouver Housing Authority owns the land at West 31st Street just east of Fruit Valley Road, which is next to other housing authority properties. The land used to have a playground.

Each 616-square-foot, two-bedroom home will be set on a foundation and face a central courtyard. There will be four parking spaces.