Find the latest publications, press releases, and other interesting information about the VHA here. 

UPDATED - Notice of Public Hearing on VHA's 2011 Moving to Work Plan
The VHA is requesting your comments on the Draft of the 2011 Moving to Work Plan. New VHA policies being proposed in the Plan include the following:

  • A new way of calculating rent and subsidy for any newly constructed Public Housing units.
  • A new pilot housing program for up to 100 units.
  • Changes in the Project-based Voucher program that will allow VHA to have up to 100% of the units in a building in the program and for the subsidy to move from unit to unit.
  • VHA to conduct their own inspections for Voucher program units in VHA owned buildings.
  • A waiting list preference for certain DSHS WorkFirst participants for the Skyline and Fruit Valley waiting lists.

To see a Draft of the Plan click on the following link: 2011 Moving to Work Plan

You can send written comments to David Overbay at, Vancouver Housing Authority, 2500 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660 or via email at doverbay@vhausa.com.

To comment in person and to hear others, please come to the public hearing:
Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Vancouver Housing Authority, 2500 Main Street

VHA MOVING TO WORK PLAN FOR 2010 APPROVED BY HUD

The Vancouver Housing Authority's 2010 Moving to Work Plan was approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on December 29, 2009. The plan details new and ongoing activities the VHA will carry out in 2010 using its Moving to Work authority. The VHA is one of about 30 housing authorities across the country participating in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration program. The MTW program offers public housing authorities the opportunity to design and test innovative, locally-designed housing and selfsufficiency strategies. The program allows certain exceptions from federal rules governing the Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs and in some cases offers flexibility in the funding of these programs.

New strategies and policies designed by the VHA, and other housing authorities in MTW, must meet at least one of the statutory goals of the demonstration program:

  • Reduce cost and achieve greater cost effectiveness in Federal expenditures;
  • Give incentives to families with children where the head of household is working, is seeking work, or is preparing for work by participating in job training, educational programs, or programs that assist people to obtain employment and become economically self-sufficient; and
  • Increase housing choices for low-income families.

2010 Moving to Work Annual Plan

HUD Approval Letter for VHA 2010 Moving to Work Plan

BID RESULTS VAN VISTA:
The apparent low bidder is  JWC, LLC. 

REBID OF PROJECT 20108 – SKYLINE CREST SUSTAINABILITY UPGRADES
The bids from August 12 for the Skyline Crest Sustainablity Upgrades have been rejected.  This project will REBID at 10:00 a.m.  Friday, September 10. A walkthrough will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday September 1.  If you received a previous bid packet – you will need to check the new Invitation to Bid and Bid form.  You will also need to check for any new addenda issued after the Sept. 1 walk thru.

NOTICE OF WAITING LIST CLOSURE FOR WALNUT GROVE APARTMENTS
AND VAN VISTA PLAZA (Independent Living)

Notice is hereby given that the waiting lists have been closed until further notice for Walnut Grove Apartments located at 7213 NE 58th Street and Van Vista Plaza (independent living) located at 410 West 13th Street. Due to the excessive wait, new applications will not be accepted. The Van Vista Plaza Assisted Living waiting list remains open.

Notice of Proposed Changes to the Public Housing and Skyline Crest Campus of Learners Resident Leases.

VHA is requesting resident comments on the proposed changes to the Public Housing and Skyline Crest Campus of Learners resident leases as outlined in the August 10, 2010 notification letter sent to all Public Housing and Skyline Crest residents.

To see a draft of the Public Housing resident lease click on the following link:
Proposed Changes

To see a draft of the Skyline Crest Campus of Learners resident lease click on the following link:
Resident Lease

Please send written comment by September 9, 2010 to David Overbay or Diane Bare at Vancouver Housing Authority, 2500 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660.

BID RESULTS
CAMAS RIDGE APARTMENTS

Detemination of Low Qualified Bidder

Preliminary Bid Results  

BID RESULTS
COLUMBIA HOUSE ROOF REPLACEMENT

Four bids were submitted for this project.  The low bidder is McDonald & Welte in the amount of $363,800.00.

Community Involvement & Educational Opportunity Newsletter Now Available

We have a newsletter available for VHA residents who are participating in the Community Service program. The newsletter is called Community Involvement & Educational Opportunity News. You will find it in the RESIDENTS section of this web site under the NEWSLETTERS link. The newsletter contains tips for those residents looking volunteer opportunities.

NOTCE OF WAITING LIST OPENING - HIGHLAND PARK SENIOR APARTMENTS

Notice is hereby given that the waiting list for Highland Park Senior Apartments (62 yrs. of age and over) of the Housing Authority of the City of Vancouver will re-open beginning January 11, 2010. Applicants must be at least 62 years of age or over to be placed on the wait list. Rent is based on approximately 30% of one's adjusted gross income. Highland Park Apartments were built in 2008, are all 1 bedroom units, non-smoking, and are located at 5015 NE 66th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98661. Applicants currently NOT receiving a housing subsidy will receive a preference and will be given higher priority than those currently receiving a subsidy.  Applications will be available at the administrative office of the Vancouver Housing Authority located at 2500 Main Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660 beginning January 11, 2010. Applications will also be available on the VHA website at www.vhausa.com or by calling (360) 993-9580 beginning January 11, 2010.

 

HOUSING MATTERS
Housing Matters Airs on Comcast Channels 21 and 23

The Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) is partnering with Clark/Vancouver Television (CVTV) to produce a series of monthly television programs on affordable housing issues in Southwest Washington and actions to address those issues.  The program, called Housing Matters, plays several times thoughout each month on CVTV/Comcast cable channels 21 and 23.  Check your local TV listings or the CVTV web site for times.  The program is also be available for viewing here on the VHA web site and the CVTV web site: www.cvtv.org

The goal of the Housing Matters television program is to highlight the issues of affordable housing, the impact of the need for affordable housing on Vancouver and Clark County, and what is being done about it here in our community.  “The need for affordable housing in Clark County is significant, as evidenced by the waiting list for subsidized housing at the VHA.  There are more than 3,000 households on the waiting list for subsidized housing in our county and we know the actual need is much greater, especially in the current economic crisis,” says Steve Towell, host and producer for the program.  Towell is the Community Relations Specialist for the housing authority.  Each monthly half-hour program consists of interviews with community leaders involved in affordable housing issues.

 

2009/2010 STRATEGIC PLAN AVAILABLE
The VHA 2009/2010 Strategic Plan is available for download.

VHA2009/2010 Strategic Plan

Five Year Capital Plan 2010

 

OPPORTUNITY FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP/HOUSES FOR SALE

If you can answer yes to the following questions... You could become a homeowner.

- Do you earn a least $25,000 per year?
- Do you have good clean credit?
- Are you willing to complete homebuyer education classes?

Click here to learn more.

 

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

2009 Report to the Community

2008 Report to the Community(This is a large file, 13 MB)

2007 Report to the Community

2008 Winter Housing Matters Newsletter

 

For more information about the VHA contact the Community Relations Department at (360) 993-9563.

Equal Housing