![Vancouver recently declared a state of emergency as a result of an increasing number of homeless people within city limits.](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Large_Clark-County-Today-Vancouver-declares-state-of-emergency-in-response-to-homeless-crisis.jpg)
In order for the state of emergency to be over, the city manager has to present the Vancouver City Council with a resolution voting to rescind the declaration
Spencer Pauley
The Center Square Washington
Vancouver recently declared a state of emergency as a result of an increasing number of homeless people within city limits.
On Monday, the Vancouver City Council voted to ratify an emergency declaration related to homelessness. City Manager Eric Holmes made the emergency declaration the previous Friday.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Services Office of Community Planning and Development found that between 2020 and 2022, Washington experienced the fourth largest increase in homelessness in the nation at 15.6%.
According to the city, it has surpassed the state averages, despite efforts to increase the available supply of affordable housing, among other initiatives to address homelessness.
At the time of the last Point-In-Time count conducted in January 2023, there were 1,300 homeless people in Clark County, with 672 being counted as unsheltered. The results also showed a 54% increase in chronic homelessness and a 78% increase in chronic unsheltered homelessness since 2022.
The Vancouver Homeless Assistance and Resources Team’s informal observations have produced a rough estimation of between 500 to 600 unsheltered homeless people within city limits.
Shortly after declaring the state of emergency, Holmes signed two initial emergency orders.
The first order allows increased authorization of a streamlined process for the city to accept donations, access financial reserves for budgeting needs, and buy goods and services needed to address homelessness.
For the duration of the emergency order, the city manager has the authority to increase the city budget to access its emergency reserve fund.
The second order allows Holmes to close up to 48 acres of public property to outdoor habitation, as a result of the city determining that homelessness continues to threaten the lives of residents.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to address homelessness in our city,” Holmes said in a statement. “While not all actions need the declaration, this mechanism will give us the agility we need to take action quickly as we continue to develop effective outreach-led, enforcement-backed solutions.”
In order for the state of emergency to be over, the city manager has to present the Vancouver City Council with a resolution voting to rescind the declaration.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Harvest Days in Battle Ground coming up July 19-21The Battle Ground Festivals Association is preparing for three days of celebration, including a car cruise on Friday night, a parade on Saturday, and fireworks on Saturday night at Harvest Days.
- Organizers looking for cars for Cruise to the Shoug show on Aug. 454-40 Brewing Co. is hosting Cruise to the Shoug on Aug. 4 as a fundraiser for the Camas-Washougal Community Chest, and organizers are looking for car owners to book their spots for the show.
- Trump picks Ohio’s J.D. Vance for vice presidentFormer President Donald Trump picked U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, to serve as his vice president should Trump beat President Joe Biden this November for another term in the White House.
- Children with disabilities make memories at the 24th annual Merwin Day of FishingOn Saturday (July 13), Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife joined together to host a memorable fishing event for children with disabilities at the Merwin Fish Hatchery near Woodland.
- Letter: For the public record and the Comprehensive PlanIn a July 12 letter to the Clark County Council, Clark County Citizens United President Susan Rasmussen shares that primary stakeholders were ignored in the Wetland and Habitat Ordinance Conservation Covenant.
- CASE DISMISSED: Classified documents case against Trump thrown out by judgeA federal judge in Florida dismissed the classified documents-related criminal case against former President Donald Trump on Monday, saying the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith violated the Constitution.
- Photos: Log show and parade at Territorial Days 2024 in AmboyTerritorial Days in Amboy never disappoints, and this weekend brought all kinds of activities in logging country, and Clark County Today had a photographer there to capture images from the annual parade and log show.