A Step Forward for Vancouver, Washington

Hey everyone, it's Cassandra Marx, also known as Realtor Cass, your local expert and friend, guiding you through everything Southwest Washington, Clark County, Vancouver, and even Portland. If you’re considering making a move to our beautiful area, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email, text, or DM on my socials at Realtor Cass. Let’s chat about your Pacific Northwest and homeownership questions!

Today, we're addressing a pressing issue that has been a hot topic in Vancouver, Washington—homelessness. While this isn't about the NAR lawsuit, it's certainly something you've likely seen discussed on platforms like Reddit, Instagram, and even on my YouTube channel.

First off, I've got some good news. I'm genuinely impressed with the strides Vancouver is making to combat homelessness, and I think it's a significant positive development for our city, especially for current and future homeowners like you. So, let's dive into the latest updates!

Emergency Declaration on Homelessness

On November 3rd, City Manager Eric Holmes declared an emergency related to homelessness, which the Vancouver City Council ratified on November 6th. This emergency declaration allows the city to bypass unnecessary procedural delays, enabling swift action to address situations that may cause injury, death, or property damage. It also provides options to recover funds spent on critical issues, ensuring the public's safety and welfare.

Key Strategic Directions

Since the declaration, the Vancouver Housing and Homelessness Strategy Group has focused on three key strategic directions:

• Increasing the supply of affordable housing.
• Encouraging a diverse housing mix across neighborhoods to enhance residents' quality of life.
• Providing strong leadership and supporting partners to improve housing stability.

The fifth Homeless Emergency Situation Report, released on April 17th, offers some promising updates. Here are the highlights:

Community Court

Community Court has identified a new location for its program, designed to help individuals charged with offenses like unlawful camping break down barriers to obtaining housing. Supported by Clark County, this successful program now operates on Mondays at the Recovery Cafe on East Fourth Plain Boulevard and will soon expand to a new location with extended service hours by summer.

Encampment Cleanups

The city has conducted cleanups at multiple locations, including Orchards Park, West Burnt Bridge Creek, around the Share House, and along the East Mill Plain sound wall, addressing sanitation and safety concerns.

Improved Data Collection

Efforts are underway to develop a better system for tracking calls for services related to homelessness through the Vancouver Fire, Police, and CRESA. This new data will help measure the success of their initiatives over time.

Safe Stay Communities

Vancouver currently has four Safe Stay Communities, featuring small shelters with basic amenities. Here are some recent updates:

• The Outpost: Four previously unsheltered residents moved in, with one resident celebrating four months of sobriety and transitioning from part-time to full-time work.
• Hope Village: Six new residents moved in, one exited to stable housing, and a partnership with the YWCA was developed for residents who have experienced domestic violence.
• 415 West: Eight residents are transitioning into housing, four exited to stable housing, and three obtained employment. A couple achieved sustained sobriety and are working on reunification with their children.
• Kiggins Village: Six residents exited to housing, one went to detox, and a dog run was installed for residents' pets.

Road to Home

This Safe Park program provides shelter for those living in RVs or automobiles. Recent updates include two residents moving to more substantial shelter, one exiting to transitional housing in Portland, and 11 people moving into housing in February alone.

Additional Support

Vancouver has received funding from the Health Care Authority for rental assistance for those with behavioral health barriers. The city also hired a new HART (Homeless Assistance and Resource Team) police officer and formed a community response team to address medical, mental health, or substance abuse crises.

Moving Forward

These updates are truly heartening, showcasing Vancouver’s commitment to creating a cleaner, safer city and strengthening resources to help our community. While challenges remain, the city’s proactive approach is a promising step forward.

If you're considering moving to Vancouver, know that our community is actively working towards positive change. For more on another pressing topic—squatters and their rights—check out my next video.

Thanks for spending time with me today. I'm Cassandra Marx, also known as Realtor Cass. Happy to be your go-to resource for all things real estate in Southwest Washington. Until next time, bye!