City announces proposed location of second Safe Stay Community for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness
Vancouver, Wash. – The City of Vancouver is proposing the City-owned property at 4915 E. Fourth Plain Blvd, 98661, as a potential location for its second Safe Stay Community for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
The City is currently conducting extensive outreach to all residents and business owners within 1,200 feet of the proposed site, seeking their input during a public comment period as a next step in advancing the City’s Safe Stay Community program.
The City believes that this location would be a good fit for a Safe Stay Community, as it is close to public transportation and will help address the needs of nearby unhoused residents.
The proposed site at 4915 E. Fourth Plain Blvd would be the second Safe Stay Community to open in Vancouver. The first, located at 11400 N.E. 51st Circle in east Vancouver, opened in December 2021 on another city-owned property. Since opening, this community has successfully provided its residents with referrals for permanent housing, job placement support and access to critical health and treatment services necessary to exit homelessness.
Like the first Safe Stay Community, the proposed second site would provide 20 modular shelters housing up to 40 people. The site will be fenced and staffed 24/7 by the onsite nonprofit operator, Living Hope Church. It will include trash receptacles and sanitation services, portable toilets and hand washing stations, meeting and office space, and access to supportive services provided by local agencies.
Public comment period now open
Community members are invited to visit http://www.beheardvancouver.org/ssc2 to share their thoughts and feedback about the proposed site. The city also invites community members to attend one of two upcoming community information sessions on Zoom. These sessions will include a chance to ask questions, learn more about the proposed Safe Stay location and about service provider, Living Hope Church. Sessions will be held on:
- Tuesday, Feb. 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 24 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Community members can participate in the virtual sessions using a computer, smart device or phone. To register, please visit www.cityofvancouver.us/cis
To register by phone or request language interpretation services, please call (360) 487-8616.
To learn more about the City’s Homelessness Response Plan and sign up to receive email updates, please visit https://www.beheardvancouver.org/homelessness-response.
Following public input and final approval, the city would open this proposed Safe Stay Community in the spring of 2022.
