These shelters are opening to increase access to safe and warm spaces for the community’s most vulnerable

VANCOUVER – As the temperatures drop, the city of Vancouver is preparing to open winter weather and severe weather shelters as part of its ongoing homeless emergency declaration. These shelters are opening to increase access to safe and warm spaces for the community’s most vulnerable. 

The shelters will serve families and individuals experiencing homelessness, but shelter prioritization will be given to families with children. Then, prioritization will be based on a variety of vulnerabilities, including seniors, people with disabilities, individuals fleeing domestic violence situations, people with health conditions, etc.  

“These winter shelter programs are critical to the City’s ongoing homelessness emergency response,” said Homeless Response Manager Jamie Spinelli. “Not only are we responding to changing weather conditions, but by prioritizing families and vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness, we are in part addressing the often-unseen aspect of the homelessness crisis in the community.” 

Winter shelter 

The winter shelters will be operated by the City’s partner, Outsiders Inn, who also operate the City’s successful Safe Stay Communities. The following facilities will be open Dec. 14 through March 2025: 

The Vancouver arts hub building, 1007 E. Mill Plain Boulevard  

• Up to 45 overnight beds 
• Open 6:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. nightly  

521 Chkalov Drive (four nights per week) 

• Up to 15 overnight beds 
• Open 6:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 

How to access shelter 

All available beds in the nightly winter and severe weather shelters will be filled by referral only. The coordinated intake and screening process will be administered by the Council For The Homeless (CFTH); anyone needing shelter this winter is asked to contact the CFTH housing hotline at (360) 695-9677. 

How to help 

While the shelter service providers will staff the shelters, volunteers are needed. Morning and evening shifts are available for two to three hours per shift. Shift duties can include setup, greeting/check-in, meal support and setup, coffee/drinks, activities, social support, service animal support and other duties as needed. To apply to volunteer at a City or one of the other winter shelters, visit outsidersinn.org/sws.  

Winter shelter service providers need blankets, new sweatshirts/sweatpants, ground coffee, creamer, sugar, hot cocoa and other to-go/hand food options like granola bars. A full list of needs has been compiled in an Amazon Wishlist. Donations can be dropped at one of the City’s Safe Stay Communities: The Outpost, 11400 N.E. 51st Cir. or 415 West, 415 W. 11th St., daily between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Please do not bring donations to the shelters; there will not be staff available to take them. 

Severe weather shelter space 

Additional shelters will be open when the Severe Weather Task Force forecasts or declares a “severe weather” event. The Task Force is organized by the Council for the Homeless and coordinates with local government agencies and the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA). 

Esther Short Commons at 555 W. 8^th St. will open to the current City’s Safe Park Zone members. It will offer up to 15 overnight beds and be supported by Thrive2Survive. The City has also identified two additional backup spaces in the event of a need for shelter during severe weather conditions: the Luepke Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., and the Aspen Room located on the ground floor of City Hall, 415 W. 6^th St. 

More information can be found at winter and severe weather shelters.  

Information provided by the city of Vancouver.