Understanding Who Does What: Organizations Behind Clark County's Homeless Services
Behind every shelter bed, meal program, and housing referral is a network of organizations working together to address homelessness in Clark County. While this page outlines where services exist, this section explains who provides them and how these organizations coordinate with each other. Understanding the roles of different agencies—from the Council for the Homeless that manages the centralized referral system, to direct service providers like Share and Outsiders Inn who operate shelters, to government entities that fund and oversee programs—helps clarify how the system functions as a whole. Whether you're trying to understand which organization operates a particular shelter, how funding flows through the system, or simply want to know who the key players are, this guide breaks down the organizational structure.
How to Use This Guide:
Organizations are grouped by their primary function in the homeless services system. System Coordination refers to the Council for the Homeless, which manages the centralized Housing Hotline (2-1-1) that coordinates all shelter referrals—this serves as the entry point to the system. Shelter & Housing Service Providers lists the organizations that directly operate shelters and programs you learned about in the shelter landscape guide. These are the "boots on the ground" nonprofits running day-to-day operations. City & Government Role explains how the City of Vancouver and Clark County fund, oversee, and set policy for homeless services.
Key takeaway: Most shelters are operated by nonprofit organizations (like Share, Outsiders Inn, Catholic Community Services) under contracts funded by the City of Vancouver and Clark County. The Council for the Homeless serves as the coordinating hub, managing referrals through its hotline to ensure people are connected to appropriate services. No single organization does everything—this is an intentionally coordinated network where each partner plays a specific role.
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Council for the Homeless (CFTH)
Role: Lead coordinating agency for homelessness services in Clark County. Operates the 2-1-1 Housing Hotline (coordinated entry system) for referrals to shelters and housing. Oversees system-wide planning, reporting, and community partnerships. -
Share Vancouver. Role: Largest direct provider of shelters and meals. Runs Share House (men), Share Homestead & Orchards Inn (families), WHAT Shelter (women), and meal programs. Provides case management, housing navigation, and permanent supportive housing programs.
Outsiders Inn. Role: Peer-led nonprofit specializing in shelter operations and outreach. Operates the St. Paul Men’s Shelter (year-round), Safe Stay #1 & #3, and staffs Satellite Overflow Shelters. Emphasizes peer-support staffing by people with lived experience.
Live Love Outreach. Role: Faith-based nonprofit operating Hope Village Safe Stay and the Safe Park Zone. Provides hygiene services, meals, and community outreach. Focus on relationship-based ministry with unsheltered people.
Do Good Multnomah. Role: Portland-based nonprofit focusing on veterans experiencing homelessness. Operator of Safe Stay #4 (Main Street/Kiggins Village), bringing their veteran services model into Clark County.
Catholic Community Services (CCS). Role: Runs Bertha Cain Baugh Place and Bertha’s Too, both non-congregate shelters. Provides supportive services, behavioral health partnerships, and case management. Focus on families, seniors, couples, and medically fragile individuals.
Open House Ministries. Role: Christian nonprofit operating a family campus shelter in downtown Vancouver. Provides transitional housing, case management, and life-skills classes for families with children.
YWCA Clark County – SafeChoice Program. Role: Runs a confidential domestic violence shelter for survivors and their children. Also offers legal advocacy, safety planning, and 24/7 DV crisis line.
Janus Youth Programs. Role: Runs the Oak Bridge Youth Shelter (ages 9–17) and outreach programs for homeless and at-risk youth. Provides crisis intervention, family reunification, and youth case management.
Salvation Army (Camas-Washougal). Role: Operates the Washougal Winter/Severe Weather Shelter and daytime drop-in services in East County. Offers meals, showers, and basic needs.
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City of Vancouver – Homeless Assistance Programs. Role: Funds and oversees Safe Stay communities, Safe Park Zone, emergency winter shelters, and severe weather shelter activations. Partners with nonprofits for daily operation and staffing.
Clark County Community Services Department. Role: Funds shelter programs via federal, state, and local dollars (HUD, ESG, ARPA, etc.). Contracts with providers like Share, CCS, Outsiders Inn, and Live Love Outreach. Coordinates with CFTH for county-wide homeless response planning.
Summary:
The big six providers running shelters directly in 2025 are: Share, Outsiders Inn, Live Love Outreach, Do Good Multnomah, Catholic Community Services, and Open House Ministries.
Specialized providers include YWCA (DV survivors), Janus Youth (youth), and Salvation Army (East County).
Overarching coordination is provided by Council for the Homeless (intake/referrals) and City of Vancouver/Clark County (funding, policy, Safe Stay/Safe Park).
The Winter Hospitality Overflow at St. Andrew provides safe shelter, compassionate hospitality, and pathways to stability for neighbors in need during the coldest months of the year. Rooted in interfaith collaboration, we put love into action through volunteers, community partnerships, and professional housing support so that every guest experiences dignity, warmth, and hope.