Vancouver Connects

A message from the City Manager:

Community survey results are in

Every two years, the City conducts a community survey to better understand your satisfaction with City services, quality of life, the economy and your top priorities for our next City budget. When asked to rank City services in order of importance, you told us: (1) police; (2) fire/emergency medical services; and (3) access to affordable housing. Read my full update to learn more about the results and how your feedback will help shape our 2025-26 budget. 

Vancouver City Council approved a resolution placing Prop 4, a property tax levy lid lift to fund increased police staffing and related public safety services, on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. 

1) Why now? Since 2018, Vancouver has experienced a 30% increase in call volume for police services and an 87% increase in reported crimes.

2) Prop 4 was developed based on the recommendations of a Police Advisory Committee made up of 13 Vancouver residents representing different backgrounds and experiences

3) Prop 4 would include funding to add up to 80 full-time police officers and 36 non-sworn police positions.

4) In the first year of Prop 4, there is a $0.41/$1,000 increase; for the next five years, Prop 4 will be 5% of all City property tax revenue. The estimated annual impact on the owner of a $500,000 home would be an additional $205 in property tax in 2025.

This summer, we made significant progress around efforts to establish a 150-bed bridge shelter to reduce the impacts of camping across Vancouver and help more people 'bridge' the space between living outside and permanent housing. In August, we opened a request for proposals for a shelter operator and announced a potential shelter property at 5313 N.E. 94th Ave. in the Van Mall neighborhood. Learn more about this and other efforts to address our homelessness emergency.

Last month, we celebrated our Community Court program’s new, permanent location at 5107 E. Fourth Plain Boulevard.

Community Court provides an alternative to fines or jail time for low-level crimes, like unlawful camping or storage of property in public spaces, that have historically created barriers to transitioning out of homelessness. Participants are connected to needed services and complete community service hours to graduate and have charges dismissed.⁠

Making moves on Vancouver's Heights District plan

On Aug. 26, City Council approved developer recommendations for the first three City-owned development sites located at Mill Plain Boulevard and Devine Road. Each of the sites, referred to as B, C and P in the master plan, include a mix of affordable housing, some market-rate housing and ground-floor retail space for local and small businesses.

Learn more about the future of central Vancouver's Heights District and plans for a vibrant, walkable, safe neighborhood center on Be Heard Vancouver

Does your organization or special event boost tourism in Vancouver?

Applications are now open for the City's Lodging Tax Grant program. Grants are available for event/festival organizers, tourism promotion organizations, and one-time tourism program and tourism facilities projects in 2025. This year, higher priority will be given to projects that reach a broader, citywide audience and non-peak season events to help ensure year-round impact. Apply by Sept. 30.