Homelessness
Homelessness is a humanitarian crisis with many causes. Those living on the street or in vehicles face tremendous challenges—from the loss of a job or home to mental health conditions or addiction.
Since declaring an emergency related to homelessness in 2023, the City has expanded our efforts to address this crisis and its impacts on both the housed and unhoused.

Latest updates
Homelessness response strategies

Homeless Assistance and Resources Team
HART provides outreach and referrals to appropriate services for individuals experiencing homelessness, conducts assessments of encampments for cleanup and sanitation needs and coordinates all cleanup efforts. HART also responds to community questions or concerns related to homelessness.
HART
Safe Stay Communities
Since Dec. 2021, the City has opened four temporary, supportive Safe Stay Communities. Each Safe Stay provides up to 40 unsheltered community members with warm, dry and secure surroundings and access to supportive services while they work to transition out of homelessness.
Safe Stay Communities
Homeward Bound
In 2020, the City established a safe location for up to 80 people living in vehicles to park. The safe park site, Homeward Bound, is located at the Evergreen Transit Center and provides a safe space for up to 50 vehicles. In February, non-profit operator Live Love Outreach began managing and providing supportive services at the site.
Safe Parking Zone
Community Court
Community Court Program provides individuals who commit quality of life offenses with an opportunity to access needed services, housing and treatment in exchange for completing service requirements and taking accountability for their actions. 52% of unsheltered individuals who have completed the program became eligible for housing.
Community Court
Talkin’ Trash
This Share Vancouver program, with funding and coordination support of the City, picks up 20 tons of trash monthly. In addition to improving community health and livability, the program offers Talkin’ Trash staff, who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, work experience, case management support and training.
Talkin’ Trash
Future bridge shelter
The City continues to lay the groundwork for a future shelter space. A bridge shelter is a low-barrier site where people experiencing homelessness can have a place to stay as they bridge the space between living outside and the next step on their journey to permanent housing.
Future bridge shelter