The Safe Stay Community, managed by the nonprofit Living Hope Church, will be home to 20 temporary modular structures
VANCOUVER – The city of Vancouver’s second supportive Safe Stay Community for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, located on city-owned property at 4915 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., is on schedule to open Wednesday, April 13.
This is the second of several supportive sites the city is establishing as part of its Homelessness Response Plan. The Safe Stay Community, managed by the nonprofit Living Hope Church, will be home to 20 temporary modular structures. The site will provide safer, more stabilizing shelter for up to 40 residents as they work to transition out of homelessness.
As part of the opening, the city is working with local nonprofits and the city’s Homelessness Assistance and Resources Team (HART) to relocate unhoused residents, including those living in camps along nearby Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway, to this site.
On Mon., March 28, Vancouver City Council adopted a resolution approving the city’s 2022 Affordable Housing Fund recommendations, which includes $1,007,900 to support necessary site preparation and the purchase of the modular shelter units. Site preparation includes installation of electrical utilities at the site, electrical hook-ups to each shelter unit, fencing, gates, parking and all associated permits and fees. Watch a time-lapse video of shelter construction.
Before moving forward with the second Safe Stay Community, city staff conducted extensive outreach to neighboring residents, business owners and community groups within 1,200 feet of the site. Thank you to those who shared input through the online comment form and two informational meetings. While many people expressed support for the city’s efforts to address homelessness, some felt that the location was not a good fit. The city takes these concerns seriously and will be working with our partners at Living Hope Church to ensure that the Safe Stay Community is a success for everyone.
Video courtesy CityofVancouverUS
If community members are interested in volunteering or donating to support the second Safe Stay Community, they can contact Living Hope Church.
The temporary Safe Stay Community will improve community health, safety and cleanliness for both housed and unhoused community members by:
- Offering unhoused residents greater access to services, increased stability, and safe, healthy, and humane living conditions to transition out of homelessness.
- Reducing garbage, trash and clutter in public spaces.
- Relocating residents who are currently living in tents or vehicles.
- Prohibiting camping within 1,000 feet of the site once opened.
This will be the second Safe Stay Community to open in Vancouver. The first Safe Stay Community is located at 11400 N.E. 51st Circle in east Vancouver, opened in December 2021 on another city-owned property. Since opening, this community has successfully provided residents with referrals for permanent housing, job placement support, and access to critical health and treatment services necessary to exit homelessness. Watch success stories.
Information provided by city of Vancouver.
