Homelessness Response Plan
Addressing the growing impacts of homelessness is a top priority at the City of Vancouver.
While Clark County remains the lead agency in addressing the systemic issue of homelessness in the region, the City has implemented a plan to address its immediate impacts to community health, cleanliness, and safety, including:
- Garbage, trash and clutter in public spaces
- Residents living in tents/vehicles in public rights-of-way
- Livability concerns for the unhoused, including the removal of barriers to accessing services
What is the City Doing Now?
We estimate that more than 500 people are currently living in tents or vehicles in Vancouver. Below is a snapshot of the City’s current efforts to mitigate the safety, cleanliness and health impacts of homelessness.
Current Strategy | About |
| HART | The City’s Homeless Assistance & Resources Team (HART) provides outreach and referrals to appropriate services for individuals experiencing homelessness, conducts assessments of encampments for cleanup and sanitation needs and coordinates cleanup efforts. Learn more. |
| Safe Stay Communities | Since December 2021, the City has opened two supportive Safe Stay Communities and now has a third site in the works that is expected to open in summer 2023. All Safe Stay Communities provide individuals living unsheltered within the city with warm, dry and secure surroundings where they have access to high-quality, compassionate, life-saving supportive services while they work to transition out of homelessness. Learn more. Safe Stay features:
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| Safe Parking Zone | The City established a safe location for people living in their vehicles to park in 2020. The site has parking spaces for 50 vehicles and serves more than 80 people. Learn more. |
Camp Cleanups | The City has completed 81 camp cleanups since February 2021. Camp residents also receive support service referrals as part of the cleanup effort. |
Sanitation Sites | Portable toilets, hand washing stations and garbage service at six campsite locations. Learn more. |
Talkin’ Trash | This Share Vancouver program, with funding support and coordination with the City, picks up 20 tons of trash monthly. The program employs individuals with lived experiences with homelessness. Learn more. |
| Mail Service | Mail services are provided five days a week through a partnership with Outsiders Inn. Learn more. |
| Housing Programs | The City's housing programs support increasing and preserving Vancouver's supply of affordable housing options and investing in programs and services that prevent homelessness: |
What’s Next?
Strategy | About |
Expand Talkin’ Trash | Expand team and scope to include intentional outreach and engagement in camps and increased litter pick up. |
Expand HART | The Homelessness Assistance and Resources Team will add another Outreach Specialist and Vancouver Police Department Officer in 2023. |
Add More Safe Parking Locations | A second Safe parking Zone was approved in the 2023-24 City budget. The City is working to locate more properties or partner with other entities to provide additional 24/7 Safe Parking sites for residents living in cars or RVs. |
Establish More Safe Stay Communities | The City is working to establish three additional supportive Safe Stay Communities in 2023. These communities will help ensure clean, safe and healthy conditions for housed and unhoused:
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Get Involved
Provide input, comments and questions using the engagement tools below:
- Share your stories: Tell us how you have been impacted.
- Ask a question: Send City staff a question.
- Provide comments on specific Safe Stay Community locations as they are announced and register for associated information sessions.
- Volunteer: To volunteer or participate in a meal train at a Vancouver Safe Stay email waystohelp@outsidersinn.org (Safe Stay 1 in East Vancouver), hopevillage@livinghopechurch.com (Safe Stay 2 on E. Fourth Plain). Find winter shelter volunteer opportunities through Council for the Homeless.
How have you been impacted by homelessness in our community? How are you helping?
Tell us your personal story.
Please note your story will be visible to all visitors after you submit. Please do not include personal information.
Vulgar and hurtful stories will be deleted.
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Homelessness and theft
Homelessness is affecting our society all around us my hose was invaded by a homeless high on drugs a year ago, my company truck was Brocken in to a month ago all of my tools were stolen about $7000, dollars, by a homeless guy driving a truck with no license plate , my daughter’s coworker car was stolen by a homeless a week ago he is 17 years old he bought his car with his own money to be self dependent and help his family so they don’t have to drive him around but a homeless person to know that... Continue reading -
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Help for the never been homeless until now
I have been homeless for 8 months with my minor child. The local homeless council wouldn't help us with housing because I'm sane and don't have a drug problem and I'm not wrapped up in the system for a crime. They seem to only house people with mental issues or drug problems. My family was forced on the street and never been homeless a day in our lives and they turned us away and said they wouldn't help us. We need better non profits for are about helping everyone not just people with issues. Homeless is homeless. I have a... Continue reading -
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Solutions not just relocation and consolidation
I am strongly in favor of offering services to assist the homeless population that want help and as such we need to find a better solution to the problem than what we currently have. A large portion of the homeless crisis is one of addiction and mental health and the lack of resources as well as the lack of desire of the population to seek help.
I have worked extremely hard to be able to provide for my family and purchase an income property to help us in our retirement. Currently our neighborhood has become a foraging ground for addicts... Continue reading
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Homeless Camp Safety and Crime
I own a condo at One Lake Place and the HOA recommended owners and tenants send comments to you about the location of the camp. Since the camp took hold at its current location my tenant has had two break-ins into his garage which resulted in damage to the door, and the stealing of several items in his car, as well as the removal of a fog light from his vehicle. Homeless can be seen wandering through the complex and our unit backs up to Burnt Bridge Creek where he has seen homeless congregating in the evening hours. There must... Continue reading
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New Story | "Crazy Until It's Not"
The journey of how New Story supporters have helped transform communities around the globe.
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New Pallet shelter village opens in Burlington, Washington
Friendship House, a nonprofit organization focused on transforming a person's crisis situation into an opportunity for empowerment and self-sufficiency.
New Pallet shelter village opens in Burlington, Washington — Pallet
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Barriers block access to Vancouver houseless camp fire
The brush fire erupted a little after midnight at 11581 NE 51st Circle. Vancouver firefighters called for extra units to battle the blaze that was showing very large flames, Jacquelyn Abad reports.
Who's Listening
Videos
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On Dec. 23, 2021, the City of Vancouver opened its first Safe Stay Community, providing the most vulnerable in the community with warm, dry and secure surroundings where they have access to high-quality, compassionate life-saving and social services while they work to transition out of homelessness.
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Get a sneak peek at the prefabricated shelters that will be used at the City of Vancouver's Safe Stay Communities
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Homeless Resource Coordinator presents the proposed plan to address the impacts of homelessness in Vancouver.
Documents
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Safe Stay 1: Year One Results (2.78 MB) (pdf)
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Safe Stay 1: Year One Police Response Data (1.25 MB) (pdf)
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Safe Stay 1: Six Month Report (3.1 MB) (pdf)
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Safe Stay Community FAQ's (51st Circle) (25.5 KB) (pdf)
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Text of Supportive Campsite Ordinance Approved by City Council (Sept. 20, 2021) (63.4 KB) (pdf)
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Staff Memo: 2021 Homelessness Planning (May 24 City Council Workshop) (137 KB) (pdf)
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Vancouver Homelessness Plan Presentation (Council Workshop: May 24, 2021) (1.52 MB) (pdf)
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RFP 34-21: Supportive Campsite and Safe Park Programs (620 KB) (pdf)
