VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON — October 29, 2026.
On Wednesday, October 28, the City of Vancouver hosted an open house at Dave and Judy’s Place, a new homeless shelter located at 5333 NE 94th Avenue. The facility will accommodate up to 120 people and is expected to begin operations by the end of November.
The event drew considerable community interest. According to Nicole Walters, a city representative, more than 400 people visited the new facility throughout the day.
We toured the shelter, explored its facilities, and spoke with Walters about how the center will operate, what services residents will receive, and how the city has worked with the surrounding neighborhood.
Photo: Roman Tretiakov / WE PNW.
More Than a Place to Sleep
Dave and Judy’s Place was designed to provide more than temporary shelter. Its purpose is to help people experiencing homelessness regain stability and access the resources they need to move toward independent living.
The facility includes residential accommodations, showers, shared spaces, meal services, and areas dedicated to social support. It will operate around the clock under the management of the nonprofit organization Do Good Multnomah.
Spacious common areas, wood finishes, soft lighting, and murals depicting the natural landscapes of the Pacific Northwest create an atmosphere that feels more like a community center than a traditional emergency shelter.
According to Walters, this approach was intentional. The goal was to create a safe, welcoming, and dignified environment where people could experience a greater sense of stability.
Photo: Roman Tretiakov / WE PNW.
Medical Care, Identification Documents, and Housing Assistance
One of the shelter’s central features will be the availability of multiple medical and social services in one location.
Walters explained that residents will be able to receive assistance obtaining identification documents, including Social Security cards, as well as support from social service professionals.
Medical services will include treatment options for opioid use disorder through the North Star Clinic program, operated with the involvement of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
The shelter will also provide referrals to housing programs. Depending on individual circumstances, residents may transition directly into permanent housing or move into an intermediate program, including one of Vancouver’s Safe Stay Communities.
By bringing these resources together, Dave and Judy’s Place aims to reduce the need for people experiencing homelessness to navigate multiple agencies while trying to stabilize their lives.
Photo: Roman Tretiakov / WE PNW.
From One Week to Six Months
The length of stay will depend on each resident’s individual circumstances.
In her conversation with WE PNW, Walters explained that some people may need only a week at the shelter, while others could require up to six months to obtain documents, access services, and prepare for the next stage of their lives.
The approach allows residents to remain in one stable location while professionals help address medical, social, and housing-related needs.
The shelter is intended to serve as a temporary step toward permanent housing rather than a long-term replacement for it.
Photo: Roman Tretiakov / WE PNW.
The Story Behind Dave and Judy’s Place
The shelter is named in honor of two Vancouver residents, Dr. David Slocum and Judith Enders, who dedicated more than two decades to helping people experiencing homelessness.
Their volunteer work began at a winter shelter operated by St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Each winter, Dave and Judy formed relationships with people seeking shelter. Even after the seasonal shelter closed, they continued providing assistance, bringing food and essential supplies, helping care for pets, and arranging veterinary services.
Over time, many of these relationships developed into lasting friendships. For people who had lost contact with family members or loved ones, Dave and Judy became a consistent source of support.
Their decades of service inspired the name of the new facility, honoring a commitment to treating people with compassion and dignity regardless of their circumstances.
Photo: Roman Tretiakov / WE PNW.
How Much Does the New Shelter Cost?
According to the City of Vancouver, the estimated cost of acquiring the property and developing the facility is approximately $22 million.
Operating expenses for the first year are projected at approximately $6.5 million.
Several organizations and funding sources have contributed to the project.
The Clark County Opioid Abatement Council provided $2.75 million, while Clark County’s Mental Health Sales Tax contributed another $2.1 million. PeaceHealth also provided $800,000 to support the facility’s commercial kitchen.
An additional $1.9 million grant from the Ed and Dolly Lynch Fund through the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington will support temporary positions within the Homeless Assistance and Resources Team (HART), helping connect people experiencing homelessness with available services.
Photo: Roman Tretiakov / WE PNW.
Working With the Neighborhood
Opening a large homeless shelter affects not only its future residents but also the surrounding community.
According to Walters, the project involved more than three years of engagement with neighbors and the broader Vancouver community.
Public discussions were part of the planning process, while the October 28 open house gave residents an opportunity to see the facility before operations begin.
More than 400 visitors had the opportunity to explore the building, learn about its planned services, and speak with project representatives.
The shelter’s long-term impact on the surrounding area will become clearer after it begins operating.
Photo: Roman Tretiakov / WE PNW.
When Will the Shelter Open?
Dave and Judy’s Place is expected to begin accepting residents by the end of November 2026.
The facility will be operated by Do Good Multnomah. Meals will be provided with support from Our Streets, while medical and social services will be delivered in partnership with specialized organizations.
The new shelter will become part of Vancouver’s existing homelessness response system, alongside Safe Stay Communities and other city initiatives.
A key measure of the shelter’s effectiveness will be not only the number of people it accommodates but also how many residents are able to transition into stable, permanent housing.
Address: Dave and Judy’s Place, 5333 NE 94th Avenue, Vancouver, Washington.
WE PNW / Roman Tretiakov
Photos: Roman Tretiakov / WE PNW
