When complete, the 120-bed Bridge Shelter will provide a safe, low-barrier place to stay with a full range of supportive services to help people experiencing homelessness transition to permanent housing
VANCOUVER – On Monday (Oct. 13), members of the Vancouver City Council approved a $9.38 million contract with Tapani, Inc. to construct a Bridge Shelter at 5313 N.E. 94th Ave., marking another major milestone in the community’s effort to expand shelter and supportive services to address Vancouver’s homelessness emergency. Construction is expected to begin this November.
“Selecting a contractor is the next milestone for the Bridge Shelter project and expanding the safety net for our unhoused neighbors,” said Lon Pluckhahn, Vancouver’s City manager. “The shelter reflects the collective commitment of Vancouver to make progress on homelessness through compassion and collaboration.”
To speed up construction and reduce costs, the Bridge Shelter will use pre-engineered steel structures built off-site. This approach minimizes waste, labor and energy use while shortening the on-site construction timeline. The shelter is expected to open in fall 2026.
When complete, the 120-bed Bridge Shelter will provide a safe, low-barrier place to stay with a full range of supportive services to help people experiencing homelessness transition to permanent housing. Shelter operations will be led by Do Good Multnomah, with on-site case management, referrals for physical and mental health care, employment support and other individualized services. The Cowlitz Indian Tribe will provide on-site medical services to treat drug addiction.
The shelter’s dormitory building will include meeting spaces, showers, laundry and community areas. A second structure will house a kitchen and a large communal dining and gathering space, which can also be used for emergency weather sheltering.
Funds to establish the shelter come from the city’s 2025-26 general fund, as well as grants, donations and partners. Funding partners to date include the Clark County Opioid Abatement Council, Clark County’s Mental Health Sales Tax, PeaceHealth’s Community Health Improvement Plan Grant and the Ed and Dolly Lynch Fund at the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington.
The Bridge Shelter is part of a broader network of city response efforts to address the homelessness emergency in Vancouver. Learn more at www.cityofvancouver.us/bridgeshelter.
Information provided by the city of Vancouver.
Also read:
- Opinion: What would it take for elected officials to believe high earners are leaving Washington?
Capital gains tax collections fell more than 50% in 2024 despite a 25% stock market gain that year. - The Study of Sports Podcast May 13, 2026: The playoffs have started for Washington high school sports, plus how the three of us have adapted to new roles in our careers
Paul Valencia, Cale Piland, and Tony Liberatore reunite to cover spring playoffs and Vancouver’s newest burger joint. - Opinion: IBR creates 50,000 road refugees
Lars Larson argues IBR’s tolling plan would push 50,000 daily commuters off I-5 onto I-205. - Arrest made in 2025 Fern Prairie fatal collision
Matthew Kenne’s blood alcohol was above 0.08 when his Jeep struck a tree, killing 18-year-old Nicholas Ortiz. - Opinion: It’s time to save taxpayers from Sound Transit’s strategic misrepresentation
Sound Transit’s ST3 rail program faces a $35 billion shortfall, and Southwest Washington taxpayers could bear new costs. - Opinion: A tax scam based on a climate lie
Nancy Churchill argues the CCA costs families 52+ cents per gallon while missing every emissions target. - C-TRAN board asks IBR to bring light rail to Library Square, with no protection for taxpayers
C-TRAN’s board rejected 7-2 an amendment shielding taxpayers from extra costs tied to a light rail extension that could approach $1 billion.
wpDiscuz
