(VANCOUVER, Wash.) — The Vancouver City Council approved a new ordinance to prohibit camping and outside habitation within 1,500 feet of the new City of Vancouver Bridge Shelter in a bid to improve the safety of the upcoming project.
The amendment was unanimously approved during the September 21 meeting.
Photo Credit: CVTV
Jamie Spinelli presented the council with the staff summary report, explaining that the ordinance will discuss how a buffer is set.
“This one is to establish, number one, the definition of a bridge shelter, because we don't have that in our VMC yet. That will be opening soon. So we needed to add it and then set the buffer around that facility at 1,500 ft, because it's a larger facility versus the smaller facilities that get 1,000 feet,” Spinelli said.
The bridge shelter is set to open this winter. The shelter comes as a part of the response to the city’s emergency response action plan.
This includes the opening of a bridge shelter with up to 120 beds. It will provide many services, including medication-assisted treatment and other support services, such as education and work opportunities to help people transition to stable housing, according to the city’s website.
Photo Credit: City of Vancouver Website
“The bridge shelter will be a safe place for people experiencing homelessness to stay while they work toward permanent housing. It has fewer entry requirements than some shelters, making it easier for people to get the help they need,” the City of Vancouver website said.
Given the scope of the homelessness crisis and the need for income-based and permanent supportive housing, the city anticipates operating the bridge shelter for at least 10 years, according to the city’s website.
The only public commenter was Carmen De Leon, who agreed with establishing a 'no camping buffer' around the bridge shelter, though she acknowledged that some people would not approve.
“Some people don't want to be helped. They don't want to clean up, and they don't want to, you know, pack up the tent and be sober and go be right. They have to be pushed into it. And if they [have] got to be pushed, then push them,” De Leon said.
Following public comment, the council voted unanimously in favor of the amendment.
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