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Council opens discussion on Vancouver 'bridge shelter,' asks staff and city to brief options and funding
Summary
Councilors instructed county staff to work with City of Vancouver on options for a proposed bridge shelter to address unsheltered homelessness and asked the city to brief the council in a future work session; the county will also clarify whether mental health sales tax funds can be used for capital or operations.
Councilors on Jan. 15 agreed to consider a county role in a proposed Vancouver bridge shelter for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and asked county staff to work with city counterparts to present options and timelines.
Councilor Tom Young (speaker identified in the transcript as the member who requested adding the topic to the agenda) said the bridge shelter presented “a great opportunity” for the county and city to partner on unsheltered homelessness and asked staff to explore participation options, including possible use of the mental health sales tax for operations or services. Policy analyst Jordan Bogie told the council the mental health sales tax advisory process typically runs an RFP that opens in late June and closes in mid-August; he said the board and its review process were created to ensure an equity lens and that applicants plan accordingly.
Council members asked for prompt briefings. After discussion about RFP timing, allowable uses and prior review of proposals, the council voted by voice consensus to invite City of Vancouver staff to a future work session to present the bridge shelter’s timeline, scope and funding needs so the county can evaluate partnership options. The chair confirmed that the motion to invite the city had the support needed to schedule the work session.
Council staff agreed to clarify allowable uses of the mental health sales tax (staff comments at the meeting reported mixed information about whether the tax can pay for construction; staff said they would verify allowable capital and service costs). Councilor Young and others noted the city’s timeline anticipates an opening perhaps mid-2026, and policymakers asked for options well before the mental health sales tax RFP window so potential applicants and county planners would have certainty.
Background: Jordan Bogie summarized prior county processes for the mental health sales tax and the 1406 fund (House Bill 1406), and staff reminded the council that past RFP rounds carefully evaluated internal county services (jail, courts, therapeutic courts) alongside external proposals. Councilors asked the county manager to contact the City of Vancouver to coordinate a timely work session and to bring back clear information on funding options and any imminent deadlines.
Outcome: Council directed staff to meet with City of Vancouver officials and schedule a work session; staff will report allowable uses of the mental health sales tax and timing constraints to the council.
