Safe Stay Community #4

Safe Stay Communities are temporary housing communities offering residents greater access to services, increased stability, and safe, healthy, and humane living conditions to support transitioning out of homelessness. Each Safe Stay Community has 20 modular shelters, which can safely house up to 40 residents. A nonprofit operator will provide 24/7 onsite management and services.

Health and safety are major priorities for the city and its partners. For this reason, all Safe Stay Communities will have screening or fencing, will provide sanitation and hygiene services, and offer a range of health services on site.

When determining where to propose a Safe Stay Community, the City of Vancouver considers four primary factors:

1. Placing Safe Stay Communities equitably throughout the city
2. Availability of public transit
3. Assessing residential areas with heightened economic vulnerability
4. Acute need resulting from camping in nearby parks, pathways or greenways

The property at 4611 Main Street is close to public transportation and local services. It would also serve nearby residents who are living unhoused.

This map shows the location of 4611 Main Street. If a Safe Stay Community opens in this location, public camping will not be allowed within the blue area shown above.

 

Safe Stay Communities and Safe Parking Zones are safely operating near schools and athletic facilities throughout Vancouver.

• The area around the City's first Safe Stay Community, which is 1.5 miles from Image Elementary School, saw a decrease in crime over its first year. Residents and the site operator have also developed strong relationships with the nearby YMCA, which hosts a wide range of programs for children and families.
• Vancouver’s Safe Park Zone, at the Evergreen Transit Center (1504 N.E. 138th Avenue), has safely operated since June 2020 across the street from facilities for Evergreen High School and Cascade Middle School.
• Vancouver’s second Safe Stay Community, Hope Village, has safely operated since May 2022 near the Vancouver Flex Academy (.3 miles), Roosevelt Elementary School (.7 miles), and Fort Vancouver High School (.8 miles).

Schools and youth groups have been great supporters of each of these locations, helping to organize donations, provide meals and support beautification projects. If a Safe Stay Community is approved for 4611 Main Street, the City and Do Good Multnomah would be excited to partner with students, families and staff at Discovery Middle School to ensure the site is a success for everyone.

Safe Stay Communities help address the immediate impacts of homelessness on community health, safety, and cleanliness, including removal of garbage, trash and clutter in public spaces and relocation of residents living in tents or vehicles in public rights of way. This property would serve nearby residents who are living unhoused at Leverich Park, Burnt Bridge Creek greenway and on WSDOT properties near Interstate 5 on-ramps and off-ramps.

Onsite service providers, such as Do Good Multnomah, work to connect residents with vital services, such as healthcare, counseling, drug treatment and job assistance programs. Do Good Multnomah will also provide 24/7 supervision of the proposed community to ensure safety and security for residents and neighbors.

Since opening, Vancouver's Safe Stay Communities have successfully provided dozens of residents with referrals for permanent housing and critical health and treatment services necessary to exit homelessness.

Homelessness is a complex topic that can only be addressed by working together with a wide range of city, county and community partners. Groups working to address homelessness in Vancouver include, Clark County, Council for the Homeless, Share Vancouver, Clark County Food Bank, Outsiders Inn, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and Vancouver Public Schools and Evergreen Public Schools Family-Community Resource Centers.

The City of Vancouver's Homelessness Response Plan seeks to address the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness, as well the safety and sanitation needs of the community, including:

• Garbage, trash and clutter in public spaces
• Residents living in tents or vehicles in public rights-of-way
• Livability concerns for the unhoused, including the removal of barriers to accessing services

The City's Homeless Assistance & Resources Team (HART) provides compassionate outreach and assistance to folks living unsheltered and serves as a point of contact for community members who may be concerned about safety or sanitation. The team includes staff from the City Manager’s Office, Vancouver Police Department, Public Works Department, and City Attorney's Office. You contact HART by using the MyVancouver app, emailing hartteam@cityofvancouver.us or calling 360-487-8626.

Neighbors and community members play an important role in supporting Vancouver's Safe Stay Communities. Once a community opens, people may give of their time as volunteers, gather welcome baskets for new residents or donate money to help pay for meals.

At each location, groups of community members and faith-based organizations also provide nutritious meals as part of organized meal trains. If you are interested in volunteering or taking part in a meal train, we encourage you to click the links below.

• The Outpost: The City's first Safe Stay Community at 11400 NE 51st Cir.
  • Support nonprofit operator Outsiders Inn
• Hope Village: The City's second Safe Stay Community at 4915 E Fourth Plain Blvd.
  • Support nonprofit operator Live Love Outreach