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 Dec. 2021, the City has opened four supportive Safe Stay Communities. 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 Shower and restroom facilities Meeting and office spaces and access to supportive services provided by local agencies Laundry facilities are available at Safe Stay 3 (other sites are close to laundry mat options)
Road 2 Home (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. Thrive 2 Survive will begin operating the site in January 2024. 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: Affordable Housing Fund Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program

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 a Bridge Shelter	Following the City's declaration of emergency regarding homelessness in Nov. 2023, the City has begun work to establish a permanent shelter to provide housing and supportive services necessary to transition more unsheltered individuals into permanent housing.

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 and Safe Stay 3 downtown), hopevillage@livinghopechurch.com (Safe Stay 2 on E. Fourth Plain). Find winter shelter volunteer opportunities through Council for the Homeless.

Addressing the growing impacts of homelessness is a top priority at the City of Vancouver.

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?

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 Dec. 2021, the City has opened four supportive Safe Stay Communities. 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 Shower and restroom facilities Meeting and office spaces and access to supportive services provided by local agencies Laundry facilities are available at Safe Stay 3 (other sites are close to laundry mat options)
Road 2 Home (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. Thrive 2 Survive will begin operating the site in January 2024. 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: Affordable Housing Fund Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program

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 a Bridge Shelter	Following the City's declaration of emergency regarding homelessness in Nov. 2023, the City has begun work to establish a permanent shelter to provide housing and supportive services necessary to transition more unsheltered individuals into permanent housing.

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 and Safe Stay 3 downtown), hopevillage@livinghopechurch.com (Safe Stay 2 on E. Fourth Plain). Find winter shelter volunteer opportunities through Council for the Homeless.