What the Vancouver Housing Authority does

The Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) is a public agency that owns and operates affordable rental housing in Vancouver, Washington. It does not serve Vancouver, British Columbia — if you are looking for housing help in Canada, you need a different agency. The VHA manages several hundred units across the city and sets rent based on a percentage of your income, typically 30 percent, rather than market rates.

The VHA also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) in Clark County, which means it issues vouchers that let you rent from private landlords while the program pays a portion of your rent. These are two separate paths: you can be on a waiting list for VHA-owned units, or you can hold a voucher and search for a participating private landlord, or both.

The agency is governed by a board of commissioners and answers to the city of Vancouver and Clark County. It receives federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and state funding through Washington's Department of Commerce.

Key Takeaways

  • The VHA owns and rents affordable units directly and also issues Housing Choice Vouchers that work with private landlords in Clark County.
  • Rent at VHA properties is typically set at 30 percent of your household income, not at market rate.
  • Waiting lists for both VHA units and vouchers are usually open, but you must meet income limits and other requirements before you can join.
  • The VHA office is located in Vancouver, Washington, and you can reach them by phone or visit in person to ask about current openings and waiting list status.
  • If you are denied housing or a voucher, you have the right to request a hearing to challenge the decision.

Income limits and who can live in VHA housing

To be considered for VHA housing or a voucher, your household income must fall below a certain threshold. That threshold changes each year and depends on your household size. The VHA publishes current income limits on its website and at its office. You will need to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to prove your income.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. The VHA will ask for proof of identity and will run a background check. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — particularly those related to drug manufacturing or violent crime — may. Eviction history is also reviewed, though past evictions do not always result in denial.

If you receive housing information from another program, you may not be able to receive VHA information at the same time. The VHA will ask about other housing support you receive and will verify it with the other agency.

How to get on the waiting list

You explore for the waiting list in person at the VHA office, by mail, or sometimes online through the VHA website. Call the VHA first to confirm which methods are currently open and whether the waiting list is accepting new names. Some programs close their lists when they become very long and reopen them later.

When you explore, bring proof of income, proof of identity, and proof of residency in Clark County. You will fill out an process form that asks about your household size, income, and any special needs (such as mobility issues or a service animal). The VHA will tell you when to expect a decision and will contact you if you are selected from the waiting list.

Waiting times vary. For VHA-owned units, the wait can be several months to several years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available. For Housing Choice Vouchers, the wait is often shorter but still measured in months. The VHA can tell you the current average wait time when you call.

VHA-owned units versus Housing Choice Vouchers

If you receive a VHA-owned unit, you live in a building the VHA owns and manages. The VHA is your landlord. Rent is set at 30 percent of your income (or sometimes higher, depending on the program). Utilities may be included or separate depending on the property. Maintenance and repairs are the VHA's responsibility.

If you receive a Housing Choice Voucher, you find your own rental home from a private landlord who agrees to participate in the program. The voucher covers part of the rent — typically the difference between 30 percent of your income and the fair market rent for that unit. You pay the rest. You are renting from a private landlord, not the VHA, so the landlord handles maintenance and repairs. The VHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards.

VHA-owned units offer stability and predictable rent. Vouchers offer more choice in where you live and what type of housing you get, but you have to find a landlord willing to accept the voucher, and not all landlords do. Some people prefer one over the other; some explore for both and take whichever comes through first.

Rent, lease terms, and what happens if your income changes

At VHA-owned properties, your rent is recalculated once a year based on your current income. If your income goes up, your rent goes up. If your income goes down, your rent goes down. You will be asked to report changes in income between annual recertifications if they are significant.

Your lease is typically for one year. The VHA can choose not to renew if you violate the lease — for example, by not paying rent, damaging the unit, or violating house rules. You have the right to a hearing before eviction. The VHA must give you written notice and a chance to respond.

If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher, your rent obligation works the same way: it is recalculated annually based on your income. The voucher amount itself may also change if the fair market rent in your area changes. Your lease is between you and the private landlord, but the voucher program has rules about what the lease must include and how disputes are handled.

How to contact the Vancouver Housing Authority

The VHA office is located at 1220 East 13th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660. You can reach them by phone at (360) 696-1966. Office hours and current services (in-person, phone, or online) change, so call first to confirm how to reach them and what documents to bring.

You can also visit the VHA website to read process forms, view current income limits, and find information about available programs. The website has a section for Housing Choice Voucher holders with rules and resources specific to that program.

If you need help understanding the process process or have questions about your lease or rent calculation, the VHA staff can answer them. If you are denied housing or a voucher, you can request a hearing to challenge the decision. The VHA will explain your appeal rights in writing.

What to do if you are denied or removed from the program

If your process is denied, the VHA must give you a written reason. Common reasons include income above the limit, failure to provide required documents, a criminal conviction that disqualifies you, or an eviction record that the VHA determines makes you ineligible. You have the right to request a hearing within a certain number of days (the VHA will tell you the important date in the denial letter).

At the hearing, you can present evidence and argue why the decision should be reversed. You can bring a representative or attorney. The hearing officer will make a decision based on the facts and the VHA's policies. If you disagree with the hearing decision, you may have further appeal rights depending on the reason for denial.

If you are removed from the program after being accepted — for example, because you violated your lease — you also have the right to a hearing. The VHA must prove the violation and give you a chance to respond. Removal is not automatic even if a violation occurred; the VHA considers the severity and your history.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for VHA housing?

The process review usually takes two to four weeks. After that, you go on the waiting list. How long you wait for an actual unit or voucher depends on the program and how many people are ahead of you. Call the VHA to ask the current average wait time for each program.

Can I have a pet in VHA housing?

Pet policies vary by property. Some VHA-owned units allow pets with a deposit or monthly pet fee; others do not. If you have a service animal, it is not considered a pet and is allowed under federal law. Ask the VHA about pet policies when you explore or when you are assigned a unit.

What if my landlord will not accept my Housing Choice Voucher?

Landlords cannot legally refuse a voucher based on the fact that it is a voucher, but they can refuse for other reasons — for example, if your income does not meet their requirements or if you fail a background check. The VHA can help you understand why a landlord refused and can suggest other properties or landlords.

Do I have to move out if my income goes above the limit?

No. If your income rises above the limit, you will pay more rent (up to market rate), but you do not have to leave. However, you may no longer be may be able to access to join the waiting list if you explore again later. Ask the VHA how income limits affect your specific situation.

Can I transfer to a different VHA unit or neighborhood?

Transfer policies depend on the program and your reason for requesting a transfer. Some transfers are allowed for medical reasons or safety concerns. Call the VHA to ask whether a transfer is possible and what the process is.