Vancouver officials look to add Safe Stay at 415 W. 11th Street

A third Safe Stay Community for people experiencing homelessness is being proposed by the City of Vancouver, and the city is asking for input from residents and business owners who are within 1,200 feet of the site.

City officials said the location — at 415 W. 11th Street — would be a good fit for a Safe Stay Community for its proximity to nearby unhoused residents and public transportation.

The public comment period is now open. Community members are invited to visit www.beheardvancouver.org/ssc3 to share their thoughts and feedback about the proposed site. 

Community members also can attend one of two upcoming information sessions, one online and one in-person. There, community members will have a chance to ask questions and learn more about the Safe Stay location.

The in-person event is Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at City Hall (415 W. 6th Street). Please RSVP to: Kerry.Peck@cityofvancouver.us.

The online session is Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. To reister, visit: www.cityofvancouver.us/cis

The city’s goal is to collect as much information as possible to learn about potential impacts of the next Safe Stay Community. 

Pending review by the city council after public input and engagement sessions, the newest Safe Stay Community could open as early as December.

Once a Safe Stay Community opens, public camping is not allowed with 1,000 feet of the location. Safe Stay Communities help address the immediate impact of homelessness on community health, safety, and cleanliness, including the removal of garbage and the relocation of residents living in tents or vehicles in public rights of way.

If approved, the proposed site at W. 11th Street would be the third Safe Stay Community in Vancouver. The first, at 11400 NE 51st Circle in east Vancouver, opened in December 2021. The second, at 4915 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., opened in April of this year. Since opening, these communities have help provide residents with referrals for permanent housing, job placement support, and access to health and treatment services necessary to exit homelessness.