The City of Vancouver is offering the 2025 Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Grant, a program designed to provide rental subsidies to individual households to help them afford housing costs. The core mission of this grant aligns with supporting housing stability and self-sufficiency for low-income residents. The subsidy is client-based, meaning it stays with the household even if they move, promoting long-term stability rather than unit-specific assistance. The grant aims to address housing insecurity and foster independence by linking financial aid with supportive services.
The primary beneficiaries of this grant are households earning 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) or less who are actively engaged in services that promote self-sufficiency. The impact goals are to reduce housing burden, prevent homelessness, and empower households to achieve greater financial and personal stability. This is achieved through both rental assistance and housing services, ensuring a holistic approach to support.
The program focuses on two main funding components: Rental Assistance and Housing Services. Rental Assistance, funded by HOME, provides up to $300,000 in total, with maximum requests of $200,000 and minimum requests of $100,000 per applicant. These funds cover rent, utility payments, security deposits, tenant income determination, and unit inspections. Housing Services, funded by CDBG, offers $100,000 in total and is limited to 35% of the requested HOME funds. This component covers housing case management, program management and operations, and other tenant support services like application fees and background checks.
The expected outcomes include an increased number of low-income households maintaining stable housing, a reduction in the incidence of housing instability and homelessness within Vancouver, and enhanced self-sufficiency among program participants. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of households served, the duration of their housing stability, and their engagement in self-sufficiency programs. The City's strategic priority is to create a more equitable and supportive community by ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, with the theory of change being that by providing targeted financial assistance coupled with essential support services, vulnerable households can break cycles of instability and build a foundation for long-term well-being.
