Housing Preservation Program

How it works

Clark County’s Housing Preservation Program is designed to ensure decent and safe living conditions for eligible homeowners. The county says single-family homes may be rehabilitated to improve livability, increase energy efficiency, extend the life of the home, or be modified for accessibility.

Funding comes through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. All eligible payments are made by Clark County. All work is performed by licensed contractors, and Clark County staff facilitate the contract between the contractor and homeowner.

What the money covers

The page lists these types of eligible repairs:

• Exterior repairs
• Roof repair or replacement
• Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical repairs to existing systems
• Reconstruction or replacement of structural components
• Septic repair or replacement
• Roll-in showers and grab bars
• Accessibility ramps

The county also states that home inspections are used to determine whether requested repairs are within the program scope, and eligible home improvements must meet HUD’s Housing Quality Standards.

Amounts and matching

• Maximum financial assistance: $40,000
• Assistance type: grant
• No matching requirement is stated on the page

How to apply

The county says households are served on a first-come, first-served basis unless the Rehabilitation Specialist deems the repairs an emergency.

To be added to the waitlist, applicants send the following information to Dawn Lee at Cnty.CommunityHousingandDevelop@clark.wa.gov:

• Address of the home needing repairs
• Confirmation that the home is the primary residence of the owner for the last year
• Number of people residing in the household
• Approximate annual income of all household members age 18 and over
• Approximate value of the home and remaining mortgage(s)
• General description of needed repairs
• Contact phone and email address

The application packet can be completed online or printed. The county says the application will determine eligibility and that the Application Checklist in the packet lists all required documentation.

Timing and deadlines

• Waitlist status: currently closed due to high demand
• New applications: only being accepted for emergency repairs
• The county warns assistance may not be available within 12 months or more
• Staff contact applicants when a project is estimated to start within the next six months
• If an applicant or dwelling is found ineligible, the county must notify them within 10 business days

Important notes

• City of Vancouver residents are directed to the City of Vancouver’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program instead.
• If you withdraw from the waitlist, the county asks that you contact staff immediately.