Vancouver Comprehensive Plan 2011-2030 - City of Vancouver

Vancouver’s population,households, and housing in 2011PopulationVancouver is home to 162,300 persons as of2011. The city continues to grow, althoughmore slowly in recent years because of theeconomic recession and relative scarcity ofland as the city fills out within its borders. Futuregrowth is anticipated through the development ofremaining vacant land, redevelopment of built orpartially built areas, and annexations in the unincorporatedVancouver Urban Growth Area (VUGA).HousingTypes of housing. Because people need differenttypes of housing at different stages of their lives,it is important to provide a variety of types of housing—apartments for young people just startingout on their own, single-family homes for familieswith children, townhouses and apartments for activeretirees not interested in maintaining largehomes, and assisted living for the elderly. As thebaby boom generation ages over the next 20 years,there is likely to be a greater need and demand forsmaller units, retirement homes, and assistedliving. Table 3-1 depicts the range of housing typesin the City of Vancouver. Single-family housing isthe most common type, accounting for the 57% ofall units in 2010. Table 3-1 does not include groupquarters housing, such as nursing homes, otherTable 3-1. Vancouver housing stock in 2011Housing Type Units Vacancy Persons perRate (2009) householdSingle-Family 40,008 (57%) 6% 2.72-unit multi-family 4,625 (7%) 8% 2.63-4 unit multi-family 3,831 (5%) 7% 2.25+ unit multi-family 19,969 (28%) 10% 2.1Manufactured 1,918 (3%) 7% 1.9housingTotals 70,351 6% 2.5Source: OFM Census, City of Vancouver permit records.American Community Surveycare or correctional facilities, or dormitories. Theseaccounted for approximately 2,080 residents in2010. See Figure 1-2 in the Community Developmentchapter for generalized locations of single andmulti-family housing in Vancouver.Housing condition. Three-quarters of Vancouverhousing units were built after 1970, and mostare structurally sound. Approximately one percentlack complete plumbing or kitchen facilities, whileslightly less than 2% lack telephone service. 2.3% ofresidences are occupied by more than one personper room, an indication of overcrowding (AmericanCommunity Surevey, 2009). According to theClark County/Vancouver Consolidated Housingand Community Development Plan, 2000-2004,7.1 percent (7,660 dwelling units) in Clark Countywere in fair or badly worn condition in 1999. Threecensus tracts located in north-central Vancouver(410.05, 417 and 418) were identified as low-incomeareas and as having high concentrations ofhousing in need of repair or replacement. Housingthat is more than 25 years old usually needsnew roofs, mechanical and electrical repairs, andcosmetic improvements such as new paint andwallpaper. Households with low incomes have themost trouble keeping up with maintenance andrepairs.Housing Tenure. In 2009 47 percent of housingunits in Vancouver were owner-occupied. Vancouverhomeownership levels are below Clark County’soverall (64%) and the City of Portland’s (53%).Home ownership can stabilize neighborhoods andDRAFT Vancouver Comprehensive Plan 2011-2030 Housing | 3-3