From the Vancouver Housing Authority:
Vancouver Housing Authority recently opened a new housing complex called Miles Terrace for low-income seniors age 55 and older. The four-story, 69-unit building located in downtown Vancouver, Wash., features studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments.
“With the growing senior population in Clark County and the hardships that are at hand—especially right now due to inflation—we need to increase the options for seniors on fixed incomes,” said VHA Board Chair Joan Caley. “It’s certainly a goal we’ve taken on at VHA.”
Rents are set to be affordable for those at 50% and 60% of the area median income. Forty of the units include an additional rent subsidy so residents pay no more than 35% of their income on rent. As a Moving to Work agency, VHA developed a rent subsidy program to buy down the cost of rent.
Amenities include covered parking for cars and bikes, secure mail and storage areas, office and social spaces, a community garden with raised beds and laundry facilities on each residential floor. It’s located in a residential area on the edge of Vancouver’s bustling downtown core. Shops, services and restaurants are nearby.
“I’ve been waiting for four years and it’s a huge apartment. It’s put together so divinely and it’s accommodating to a person like me who’s in a wheelchair,” said incoming resident Deon Washington. “My prayers were answered.”
VHA developed Miles Terrace in partnership with Ginn Group and Works Progress Architecture. Funding sources for the $15 million project included low-income housing tax credit equity, Umpqua Bank, a VHA loan and the City of Vancouver Affordable Housing Fund. Over the last six years, the city’s fund has helped build 810 new housing units and preserve 231 affordable homes.
