VANCOUVER, Wash. — The city of Vancouver opened a new Safe Stay Community on Friday. It has 20 pod-like structures that can house up to 40 people.
The site is the fourth of its kind. It's part of Vancouver's Homelessness Response Plan, which aims to address issues surrounding health, safety and cleanliness of the community. The city estimates that more than 500 people are living in tents or vehicles in Vancouver.
Residents at the newest site, located at 4611 Main Street, have access to on-site services, restrooms and showers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The city said its Homelessness Assistance and Resources Team worked with nonprofits to prioritize relocating people from camps downtown Vancouver to the Safe Stay Community.
Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee attended the opening of the site Friday morning.
"Every one of these tiny homes are big dreams for people to get their lives back in shape and that's what's happening. People come to these places and their lives change," Inslee said.
Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle was also there.
The nonprofit Do Good Multnomah will manage the site, which is on property owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Three other Safe Stay Community sites are located in east, central and downtown Vancouver. They have served more than 206 people, according to the city.
Vancouver City Council passed an emergency declaration on Nov. 6. It allows the city manager to immediately issue emergency orders to provide more resources to address the issue of homelessness, according to the city.
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