• The City’s Homelessness Plan includes the use of Safe Stay Communities to provide shelter and other services for our vulnerable unhoused population.
• The City has competitively solicited a request for bids to construct Safe Stay Community Site #3, located at 415 West 11th Street.
• Staff is recommending award of the construction contract to the apparent low bidder in the amount of $708,308.68.

A part of the Vancouver Homelessness Plan calls for the establishment of Safe Stay Community sites where residents are provided shelter and personal hygiene facilities and are given access to social service providers to assist them in transitioning to permanent housing.

To date, two Safe Stay Communities have been established, the third is waiting on this bid award to start construction, and the fourth is in the final stages of the site plan layout. A fifth site is included in the budget, but a site has not been selected.

Each Safe Stay Community typically features 20 shelters capable of housing two persons each, one office, community spaces, restroom & sanitation units, storage facilities and garbage services.

On August 15, 2023, the City received three bids for the subject project. The bids ranged between $708,307.68 and $862,215.87. The apparent low bidder was deemed responsive. A summary of the bids are as follows:

City Electric Co. has submitted an apprenticeship plan and intends to meet the required apprenticeship goal of 3%.

1. Allows the City to continue implementing a key part of the Homelessness Plan through the establishment of additional Safe Stay Community sites.
2. Allows residents to connect with services in a safe supported environment.