Notable News, Events & Efforts in Clark County
FEBRUARY 2022
In
December, The City of Vancouver created a Safe Stay Community (SSC), designed to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and developed on City land that had previously been the site of an encampment near the intersection of SR-500 and 112th Ave at 11400 NE 51st Circle. The November 2021 announcement of the City’s plan for the community came following extensive outreach to the existing encampment. “All [individuals who were living at the encampment] were offered assistance moving and/or storing their possessions during the move,” Tim Becker, the City’s strategic communications manager, told VFM. “They were also offered shelter space and/or motel vouchers . . . We also opened a two-week comment period for nearby residents and businesses, to both answer their questions and listen to any of their concerns.”
Safe Stay Community Shelters Vancouver Residents shelter pods, the community also includes trash removal and sanitary services, portable toilets and hand washing stations, and is fenced and staffed 24/7 by organizations Outsiders Inn and Homeless Assistance and Resources Team (HART). Many of the folks who previously lived at the makeshift encampment are now living at the community, following an application and interview process to determine whether the Safe Stay Community would be a good fit for them. “Background checks are done, and sex offenders [are] screened out,” Becker
said. “Individuals who want to live in the SSC [are] expected to be working towards transitioning to more permanent stable housing, employment (for those who can work), health and wellness, and participating by being a good neighbor within the SSC, as well as in the surrounding neighborhoods.” The City of Vancouver plans to open more similar communities in the coming months. “Our hope is to open two more Safe Stay Communities before next summer,” Becker said, “equitably distributed around the City, and following the site selection criteria approved by City Council.”
Improvement efforts for the area moved along quickly: 20 8-foot x 8-foot modular shelters, designed to house two individuals each, were delivered and constructed in mid-December and the community opened just before Christmas. In addition to the
Vancouver’s first City-sponsored Safe Stay Community for individuals experiencing homelessness features small living pods housing two people each. Photos by Nikki Klock.
C-TRAN Introduces On-Demand Rideshare Service C-TRAN, Clark County’s public transit service, recently introduced a new, on-demand rideshare service that provides door-to-door transportation for just the cost of a bus ride.
“The concept of The Current was first introduced in early 2021 as we began extensive public outreach to gather feedback from the community,” said Eric Florip, C-TRAN’s assistant manager of customer experience and communication. “It’s part of a larger series of service changes we’re making . . . to improve efficiency and provide better service that matches shifting rider demands and needs.” The Current is similar to other popular rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, but with a few key differences—most significant of which is the cost. Fare is just $1 per ride for an adult or $0.50 for youth, seniors, Medicare recipients and individuals with qualifying disabilities. Children age 6 and younger ride free with a paying accompanying passenger. All drivers are C-TRAN employees (as opposed to private drivers) and all vehicles are dedicated C-TRAN vehicles that comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access guidelines. The Current is being rolled out in the following areas, on weekdays only, with expansion to weekends planned for later in 2022: WSU Vancouver/Salmon Creek, Rose Village, Camas/Washougal, Ridgefield/La Center and the Port of Vancouver. The Port of Vancouver service operates 5:30-8:30 am and 2-6 pm on weekdays. All other service areas operate 5:30 am-7 pm weekdays. “There are three ways to schedule a ride,” Florip said. “Using The Current mobile app, scheduling a ride online through book.ridethecurrent.com, or by phone at 360-695-0123. Rides can be requested on-demand when you need it, or scheduled up to two days in advance.” Riders can pay on the vehicle either with cash or using Hop Fastpass, the electronic fare system used by C-TRAN, TriMet and Portland Streetcar. Find interactive maps of The Current service areas at ridethecurrent.com.
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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • February 2022
