Half the items shall be for individuals who make 30 p.c or much less of the world’s median revenue — $23,700 for a single individual or $27,000 for a married couple. The opposite half shall be for individuals who make between 30 p.c and 50 p.c of the median revenue — $39,500 for a single individual and $45,000 for a pair.
Seventeen of the items shall be reserved for individuals who are exiting homelessness.
The entire items will qualify for rental subsidies, so not one of the residents pays greater than 30 p.c of their revenue towards hire.
The necessity for reasonably priced housing amongst older adults is rising.
In line with Council for the Homeless knowledge, 1,144 folks 55 and older skilled homelessness final 12 months. About 10 p.c of them have been 70 years or older.
The Columbian has beforehand reported that housing prices and a restricted security internet are forcing older adults onto the streets. Widows and widowers are particularly susceptible to housing instability as dwelling prices are tough to handle on one revenue.
“A couple years back, there was an article that Vancouver was one of the least affordable cities in Washington for seniors. We definitely saw that need and that’s why we were really aggressive in applying for funding,” Caesar mentioned.
The federal Low-Earnings Housing Tax Credit score supplied $21.4 million to the mission to construct Laurel Manor, about 64 p.c of the $33.5 million mission. The mission additionally drew from the town of Vancouver Inexpensive Housing Fund, in addition to different state and federal sources.
“This literally is a supply and demand issue: Not only does it benefit people here, but it creates the supply that helps take off some of the pressure in the local community. If we build more housing like Laurel Manor, it will help us keep down the cost in the larger region,” U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell mentioned. The Washington Democrat toured the constructing in late October to point out assist for enhancing the Low-Earnings Housing Tax Credit score.
Laurel Manor was designed for residents to age in place. It’s totally accessible with wider corridors and a communal house to scale back social isolation for the tenants. Photo voltaic panels will cut back vitality prices for residents.
Caesar mentioned the Vancouver Housing Authority (which based Columbia Non-Revenue Housing as a separate entity in 1981) is trying to construct a 40-unit house advanced for older adults in Washougal to proceed assembly the necessity of the getting old inhabitants.
“This is really just a drop in the bucket. We really need more affordable housing for seniors because they really are one of our most vulnerable populations and we don’t want them to fall into homelessness,” Caesar mentioned.