Upcoming homeless camp ban info

We live close by to a huge homeless camp along Mill Plain in the Hough neighborhood and was recently told by the city of plans to offer these folks housing as more city shelters come online. They’ve housed about 15 people so far from this camp alone, and plan to continue outreach to everyone in the camp they can. Then, I was told, if individuals deny the housing offer, then they will be removed from the area by law enforcement as the area will be considered “closed to camping” and it will now be a crime to camp in “closed to camping areas”

At the risk of this being a hot take, this seems to be a positive direction to address homelessness the city is taking by offering shelter to anyone who wants it, and sounds like arresting those who don’t want shelter and break the law of illegal camping in public. I followed up to ask how this will be enforced once the camp is “closed” and the city said for anyone to call 911, police will issue a citation for unlawful camping, offer housing again, and if they deny then it is an arrest.

Just curious if anyone else has heard about this or seen anything in the news as it seems like a big change.

https://www.cityofvancouver.us/homelessness https://www.cityofvancouver.us/city-managers-office/emergency-declaration https://www.cityofvancouver.us/city-managers-office/homeless/future-bridge-shelter-2/

After all of the feedback and comments on this, I wanted to send an update I received from HART as of today 02/04/25:

“HART Team: Camp is in process of being closed permanently. Coordinated resources - public works, equipment, police, solid waste contractor, outreach, etc.....are scheduled for the full move out and closure on March 5th. After that, no one may return there otherwise police will enforce removal, arrest, property seizure. Until then, we will continue to conduct solid waste and abandoned camp removal for health and sanitation services, as weather permits. For immediate concerns - fire, crime, medical, etc....please call 9-1-1 and report when observed. Thank you. Feb 4, 2025, 4:32 PM PST by HART Team”