Housing Stability Fund

Housing Stability Fund

Funder: Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools

Geographic Scope: Vancouver Public Schools district (Vancouver, WA)

Overview:
The Housing Stability Fund provides one-time emergency rental assistance to Vancouver Public Schools families facing housing instability to prevent homelessness. This fund recognizes that stable housing is critical for student success and academic achievement.

Background:

Created approximately 2 years before the article date (around 2016-2017)

Over 200 VPS students and families have been able to stay in their homes and avoid eviction since inception

More than one-thousand VPS students experienced homelessness during the prior school year

Almost 50% of Vancouver Public Schools students are from families with incomes below federal poverty guidelines

Focus Areas:

One-time emergency rental assistance: Financial bridge to prevent eviction

Housing stabilization: Helping families regain stability so students can focus on education

Referral-based support: Identification of critical housing needs through schools

Eligible Beneficiaries:

VPS students and families facing housing instability

Families at risk of eviction

Families struggling to find and keep stable housing

Administration:

Partnered with Council for the Homeless (CFTH) to administer the fund

VPS Family-Community Resource Coordinators identify and refer eligible families

CFTH provides timely and targeted one-time emergency housing assistance

Families work with CFTH to access the financial bridge

Impact:
Through Foundation for VPS support, 200 students did not experience homelessness, representing a small investment compared with the cost of homelessness.

Related Services:
The Foundation for VPS also provides funding for basic needs support:

Food assistance

Clothing

Personal hygiene items

Utility assistance

Transportation

School supplies

Diapers and car seats

Contact Information:

Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools

Phone: 360.313.4730

Email: foundationvanps@vansd.org

Address: PO Box 6039, Vancouver, WA 98668

Partner Organization:

Council for the Homeless (CFTH)

Founded: 1989

Mission: Lead the community's efforts to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County

Works with social service providers, government, faith communities, and businesses