Second Safe Stay Community celebrates second year serving the unsheltered
May 3, 2024
On Friday, April 26, the City of Vancouver, non-profit operator Live Love Outreach and the many previously unsheltered individuals who have called Hope Village Safe Stay Community their temporary home, celebrated the community’s second anniversary.
“This program has pulled a lot of people off the streets and given them a safer place to live and transition out of homelessness,” said Jamie Spinelli, homeless response manager. “It’s also provided relief for the community because we’ve reduced camping in the area by providing these folks with a safe place to live and opportunities for neighbors to plug in and support its success.”
Hope Village, 4915 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., opened in April 2022 as Vancouver’s second temporary shelter community serving nearby unsheltered residents. From 2022 to 2023 Hope Village has served 86 unsheltered community members and graduated 36 into stable housing.
This Safe Stay is one of four temporary communities funded by the City of Vancouver to provide safe shelter and supportive services to unsheltered neighbors on their path to stable housing. In Nov. 2023, the City declared a state of emergency related to the growing complexity and magnitude of issues related to homelessness in Vancouver. Safe Stay programs are one of several tools the City uses to address the homelessness crisis in Vancouver. Learn more about the City’s emergency response efforts.
B-roll footage available
The City of Vancouver is pleased to provide video interviews and footage from the celebration for use by media outlets. Contact Sophie Ventura to request b-roll.
About Vancouver’s Safe Stay Program
In 2021, City Council approved a plan to create temporary, supportive Safe Stay Communities for people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver.
Safe Stays are temporary communities offering residents greater access to services, increased stability and safe living conditions to transition out of homelessness. Each Safe Stay has 20 two-person structures that offer shelter for up to 40 residents. A nonprofit operator provides 24/7 onsite management and services. All Safe Stays have fencing, provide sanitation and hygiene services, and offer health services. Camping is not permitted within 1,000 feet of a Safe Stay community.
Media contact: Tim Becker, Strategic Communications Manager, 360-831-3240, Tim.Becker@cityofvancouver.us
