City Council Advances Supportive Campsites Ordinance to Address Homelessness

Following a public hearing Monday, Sept. 20, on the subject of implementing supportive campsites, City Council approved an ordinance that amends the City’s camping code. The approved revisions to Chapter 8.22 of the Vancouver Municipal Code are necessary to implement the supportive campsites pilot program which is one component of the City’s Homelessness Response Plan. The ordinance also defines the criteria that will be used to identify potential locations on public land for the campsites.

Though the amended ordinance is effective 30 days from its approval date, the opening of the first campsite is anticipated to take place some time after that 30-day period. The City must first take up the process of identifying a campsite operator and awarding a service contract. Identification of a location for the first site must also take place.

The goal remains to open three campsites by the end of the year. Managed 24/7 by nonprofit on-site operators, the sites will have screening or fencing, provide sanitation and hygiene services, and have limited health services on site. It’s currently anticipated that the temporary program will facilitate up to three campsites this year, providing support to approximately one-quarter of the estimated unsheltered population in Vancouver. The program is not designed to resolve homelessness in the community, but rather to alleviate some of the most immediate, severe impacts to people and place.

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