Homelessness
In 2023, the City declared an emergency related to homelessness in Vancouver.
Homelessness is a humanitarian crisis with many causes. Those living on the street or in vehicles face tremendous challenges—from the loss of a job or home to mental health conditions or addiction.
Since declaring an emergency, the City has expanded our efforts to address this crisis and its impacts on both the housed and unhoused.
Latest updates
Recent news
- Mayor hosts class on properly cooking, serving food for homeless people – The Columbian, May 2
- With help of Safe Stay, former soldier who had lived in truck heads to complex for vets – The Columbian, April 23
- City issues fifth situation report for emergency declaration on homelessness – April 15
- City issues fourth situation report for emergency declaration on homelessness – March 28
- ‘There was a miracle that happened there’: First graduates of downtown Safe Stay celebrate milestone – The Columbian, March 21
- City Council workshop on the City’s camping ordinance and ways to increase its impact – March 11
- Vancouver man finds affordable housing after living in his car – The Columbian, March 7
- City issues third situation report for emergency declaration on homelessness – Feb. 26
- Safe Stay Communities: positive impact felt in neighborhoods – Feb. 2024 City newsletter
- Vancouver’s third Safe Stay ‘right exactly what we expected – The Columbian, Feb. 6
Outcomes
January – March 2024
- 38 people moved into stable housing from a Safe Stay or Safe Park
- 94 people served at Safe Park (Road2Home)
- 12 encampment clean ups
- 112 tons of trash/solid waste removed
- 232 MyVancouverapp service requests completed
- ~Three acres of publicly owned property closed to camping
Ways to help
Safe Stay/Safe Park opportunities
Road2Home: Safe Park
Donate
- Lysol wipes
- Towels
- Dawn dish soap
- Personal hygiene items, such as soaps, tampons, pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste, depends, allergy medications, sunscreen and aloe
To donate, contact charlesh@thrive2survivewa.org.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Thrive2Survive, our Safe Park operator, contact lexic@thrive2survivewa.org.
The Outpost: Safe Stay 1
Volunteer
Meal train cooks and drop off facilitators for lunch (11 a.m.) and dinner (5:30 p.m.)
Sign up for a meal train or donate to support meal service at The Outpost.
Hope Village: Safe Stay 2
Volunteer
Help cook dinners (drop off at 6 p.m.)
Sign up for a meal train or donate to support meal service at Hope Village.
415 West: Safe Stay 3
Volunteer
Meal train cooks and drop off facilitators for lunch (11 a.m.) and dinner (5:30 p.m.)
Sign up for a meal train or donate to support meal service at 415 West.
Kiggins Village: Safe Stay 4
Donate
- Coffee/creamer/sugar
- Breakfast bars
- Gently-used shoes
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
Wish list item/volunteer project
Cosco gazebo/seating and help constructing.
To donate, contact: Dale Smith, 503-442-8914, dalesmith@dogoodmultnomah.org or Lisa Horness, 971-634-0011, lhorness@dogoodmultnomah.org
Southwest Washington Victory Food Project
To learn about volunteer opportunities at the Safe Stay 1 and 3 community gardens, follow @swwa.victory.food.project on Instagram or email swwavictoryfoodproject@gmail.com.
Litter Stewards
Picking up litter in public spaces helps keep the Vancouver community safe and clean for all to enjoy. There has been a strong response from the community to help with litter removal throughout Vancouver and, in response, the City’s Litter Stewards program provides training and equipment for community members to help us with this complex need.
Homelessness response strategies
Homeless Assistance and 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 all cleanup efforts. HART also responds to community questions or concerns related to homelessness.
HART
Safe Stay Communities
Since Dec. 2021, the City has opened four temporary, supportive Safe Stay Communities. Each Safe Stay provides up to 40 unsheltered community members with warm, dry and secure surroundings and access to supportive services while they work to transition out of homelessness.
Safe Stay Communities
Road2Home
In 2020, the City established a safe location for up to 80 people living in vehicles to park. The safe park site, Road2Home, is located at the Evergreen Transit Center and provides a safe space for up to 50 vehicles. In January, non-profit operator Thrive2Survive began managing and providing supportive services at the site.
Safe Parking Zone
Community Court
Community Court Program provides individuals who commit quality of life offenses with an opportunity to access needed services, housing and treatment in exchange for completing service requirements and taking accountability for their actions. 52% of unsheltered individuals who have completed the program became eligible for housing.
Community Court
Talkin’ Trash
This Share Vancouver program, with funding and coordination support of the City, picks up 20 tons of trash monthly. In addition to improving community health and livability, the program offers Talkin’ Trash staff, who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, work experience, case management support and training.
Talkin’ Trash
Future Bridge Shelter
The City continues to lay the groundwork for a future shelter space. A Bridge Shelter is a low-barrier site where up to 150 people experiencing homelessness can have a place to stay as they “bridge” the space between living outside and the next step on their journey to permanent housing.
