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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:
20 modular Pallet shelters housing up to 40 people
Fenced and staffed 24/7 by a nonprofit operator
Trash receptacles, sanitation services, portable toilets and handwashing stations
Meeting and office spaces and access to supportive services provided by local agencies
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:
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:
Limit to 20 modular Pallet shelters per site
Contract with nonprofit operator to staff each site 24/7
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:
20 modular Pallet shelters housing up to 40 people
Fenced and staffed 24/7 by a nonprofit operator
Trash receptacles, sanitation services, portable toilets and handwashing stations
Meeting and office spaces and access to supportive services provided by local agencies
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:
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:
Limit to 20 modular Pallet shelters per site
Contract with nonprofit operator to staff each site 24/7
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
I and my aunt have been living in One Lake Place Condominiums for almost 4 years. For most of that time the paved but barricaded street on the west side of the property leading to NE 112th Ave was empty. Then last year in April or May of 2020 during the first lockdown a few tents moved into that area.
Being a born again Christian and wanting to show them kindness I befriended them. Ever since then I have maintained a good relationship with several of the residents who have moved in back there.
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
by Active and Concerned Citizen,
about 2 years ago
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
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
Ted Pyle's home in VANCOUVER, WA destroyed by Vancouver Code Enforcement, his property cleared by Court order. Ted, a 73 year old Senior Citizen and Vancouver property owner who had been providing housing for up to 5 homeless people at a time for over 20 years. After being forced to dismantle his home and storage sheds he created, Ted now being forced to embrace the homelessness he struggled to end for others.
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Friendship House, a nonprofit organization focused on transforming a person's crisis situation into an opportunity for empowerment and self-sufficiency.
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.
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The City of Vancouver’s First Safe Stay Community Opens
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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Safe Stay Community Information Session #2: Dec. 1, 2021
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Safe Stay Community Information Session #1: Nov. 30, 2021
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Safe Stay Community Pallet Shelter Tour
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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City Council Workshop Plan Presentation (May 24, 2021)
Homeless Resource Coordinator presents the proposed plan to address the impacts of homelessness in Vancouver.