Housing Resources

• Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act
• Washington Tenant Rights Information
• Rent Well Classes: Share Vancouver offers Rent Well Classes, a 15-hour in-person tenant education with a curriculum that teaches you about your rights and responsibilities as a renter. In Clark County, Rent Well is paired with a $1,000 financial incentive through SHARE that encourages landlords to rent to eligible graduates. If you would like to find out about a possible Zoom option, or to sign up for classes, please contact hpronath@sharevancouver.org and visit the Rent Well webpage. Interested in becoming a Rent Well Instructor to bring the 15-hour tenant education to your agency? Check out how to become a Community Agency Partner and enroll in the Tenant Educator Academy.
• Washington State Landlord Damage Relief Program: The Landlord Damage Relief Program offers up to $1,000 and up to fourteen days’ rent loss to the landlord, and up to $5,000 in qualifying damages caused by a tenant during tenancy. Commerce will review, approve and pay claims as quickly as possible. Visit Landlord Damage Relief Program – Washington State Department of Commerce to find out more information and how to qualify.

Advocacy and Legal Resources for Tenants

• NW Justice Project: Northwest Justice Project (NJP) is Washington’s largest publicly funded legal aid program. Each year NJP provides critical civil legal assistance and representation to thousands of low-income people in cases affecting basic human needs such as family safety and security, housing preservation, protection of income, access to health care, education and other basic needs.   
• Fair Housing Center of Washington: Prevents, Mitigates, and eliminates unlawful housing discrimination and promotes inclusive communities.
• Disability Rights of Washington: They provide a number of services including disability rights information and legal services for disability rights violations.
  • Phone: (800)562-2702 or (206)324-1521 (they ask that all requests for assistance come through the phone vs via email).
• Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program: There is a “Housing Justice Project” and lawyers help low-income WA residents with tenant/landlord issues.
  • Phone: (360)356-7872
• Tenants Union of Washington State: The Tenants Union fights for housing justice through education, organizing and advocacy. We win victories that change people’s housing conditions and people’s lives for the better.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guide on Residential Mold: Problem, Clean Up, and Prevention
• Safe and Healthy Housing Resources (Washington State Department of Health)
• Accessibility considerations and resources for landlords
• Clark County Lead Prevention Program Presentation – 9/25/24

If you are looking for assistance with homeownership, please reach out to:

• Proud Ground
• Clark County Affordable Homeownership Program
• Evergreen Habitat for Humanity
• HomeSight Homeownership Center
• Native American Youth and Family Center
• SaveFirst Financial and Homeownership Counseling
• Washington Homeownership Resource Center
• Washington State Housing Finance Commission

• Housing Rehabilitation Program
• Weatherization Program
• Clark Public Utilities Energy Assistance
• Homeowner Assistance Fund
• Clark Public Utilities Energy Rebates and Incentives

• Affordable Housing Fund
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program
• Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program
• Impact Fee Waivers (See section 20.915.080 B)
• Construction Sales and Use Tax Deferral Program

The City of Vancouver does not administer rental assistance directly. If you are seeking rental assistance, please reach out to the City of Vancouver’s partners:

• Vancouver Housing Authority, Clark County’s largest provider of subsidized housing and rental assistance. Visit the VHA website or call 360-694-2501.
• Housing Solutions Center, a one-stop entry point for programs in Clark County serving people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Visit the HSC website or call the Housing Hotline at 360-695-9677.

• 211 Info – Multiple Community Resources
• Clark County Resource Guide | Council For The Homeless

• The 2024 Housing Report for the City of Vancouver is now available, providing insight on the ongoing housing need, updates on the Housing Action Plan, the implementation of a new rental registration program, and more.
• The 2017-2023 Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) Report for the City of Vancouver is available, highlighting the core goals and strategies of AHF and the impact that these funds have on creating and preserving affordable homes, contributing to efforts to end homelessness, collaborating with nonprofit and for-profit agencies to promote housing variety and leveraging City investments to maximize quality, affordable housing.