Encouraging messaging sits on the ground outside a row of pallet homes Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at the Stay Safe Community in east Vancouver. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)
The city of Vancouver proposed Monday to select the former Golden Skate property as the location for its second supportive community for people experiencing homelessness.
In 2015, Vancouver purchased the former roller rink, at 4915 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., to use as a part of its Operations Center. The city demolished the building and now uses the bare ground for parking and storage.
Property owners, residents and businesses within 1,200 feet of the proposed location have been notified of the proposal.
There will be two virtual community information sessions during the comment period, where city staff will answer questions and share their prospects for the site. They are from 7-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 and 4-5:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Attendees can access the virtual town hall through a computer or phone but must register online at cityofvancouver.us/cis or by calling 360-487-8616.
Comments and questions can be submitted to an online forum on the city’s Homelessness Response Plan page at Be Heard Vancouver.
Spring opening
The second Safe Stay Community would open this spring, following public input and final approval by the Vancouver City Council.
Vancouver’s Safe Stay Community is a city-led initiative to provide safe shelter to people who are working toward gaining stability. The first site opened in December at 11400 N.E. 51st Circle, in the North Image neighborhood. That site is operated by Outsiders Inn. It is staffed 24 hours per day.
The site already has observed milestones, as some of its residents secured employment, decided to go into treatment or were reunited with family members, said Jamie Spinelli, Vancouver homeless response coordinator at a Feb. 7 city council meeting.
Each Stay Safe Community provides 20 shelters that can house up to 40 people, as well as sanitation services, communal spaces and access to resources through local agencies. No unregulated camping is permitted near the community.
Council members previously commended the concept for being homelike and fostering a safe place for people to resolve their homelessness.
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