Fruit Valley Terrace – Completed in 2021
Fruit Valley Terrace was C-Roots first project, developed with the support of City of Vancouver
Affordable Housing Funds and the Washington State Department of Commerce Housing Trust Fund. The project created 21 “tiny home” units and a 4-bedroom shared living home serving a total of 25 households.
- Project cost: $3,847,964 (land purchased for $325,000 for the house and 1.5 acres.)
- Infrastructure: Sewer, water, electrical service and a swale were installed.
- Partners: Ginn Development and PLS Engineering provided generous assistance.
- Outcomes: The project was completed on time and within budget, by a volunteer board. Recognizing the complexities of the compliance, management and operations, the board later hired a skilled Executive Director in 2024 with support from the Firstenburg Foundation and the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund.
Residents entered housing at 30% of Area Median Income, typically earning less than $1,500 per month, with rents set at $650. All residents have a case manager at move-in. Many outcomes have been positive: residents have gained employment, reconnected with family, built friendships, and pursued new opportunities. Three households have transitioned to larger homes, one became a homeowner, and 10 of the original households still reside at Fruit Valley.
O Street Project – Completed 2025
C-Roots second project, completed in April 2025, transforms properties at 3518 and 3600 O street into a 20-unit community:
- 7-unit two-bedroom cottage homes (rents at $797/month).
- 13-bedroom shared living home (rents at $797 a month).
- Project Costs: $3,831,041.
- Infrastructure: Connected to existing water, sewer and electrical.
- Partners: City of Vancouver, Firstenburg Foundation, Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, various service providers and Wolf Industries.
The shared home includes a Resident Advocate/House Manger, ensuring daily support for residents. Like Fruit Valley, all tenants are exiting homelessness and earn at or below 30% AMI.
Future Growth – Mill Plain Project
Community Roots is preparing its third development at 9603 Mill Plain, which will create an additional 24 homes. This project has funding from the City of Vancouver, Clark County Mental Health Sales Tax, Firstenburg Foundation and a generous grant through the state capital budget.
C-roots is now expanding staff capacity and strengthening partnerships with community service providers to support residents more effectively.
Building Capacity
Each project has strengthened C-Roots’ project management expertise and operation systems. By applying lessons learned, the organization is positioned to deliver future housing projects thar are increasingly cost-effective, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of people transitioning out of homelessness.