Whatcom County will host this winter’s severe weather shelter at Central Lutheran Church on North Forest Street, after months of searching for an operator, and then a location.
The county is working out terms with Lutheran Community Services to host the shelter at 925 N. Forest St., county health department Housing Program Supervisor Chris D’Onofrio told Bellingham City Council on Monday, Oct. 21. D’Onofrio said the shelter should be able to host up to 70 adults, and will likely be open at 5 p.m. and close at 9 a.m. the next morning.
In previous years, the severe weather shelter opened when the overnight low reached 28 degrees or below, or when 2 inches of precipitation fell when freezing temperatures were reached, but D’Onofrio told city council the county is looking at that temperature threshold and hopes to be open more nights than last year, but will be limited by funding and staff.
City of Bellingham Community and Economic Development Manager Tara Sundin said the city will contribute about $100,000 to the shelter’s operation. The county will likely provide $450,000, D’Onofrio said.
Health department Human Services Manager Ann Beck told Bellingham City Council that the health department expects to bring the lease for the space to Whatcom County Council on Nov. 6, and that the shelter will likely be able to activate mid-November.
Last year’s severe weather shelter cost about $400,000 to operate and extended open hours to mid-March due to cold temperatures and a rain/snow mix. Nonprofit Road2Home also ran a winter shelter at Civic Field that was open every night, but declined to take on the work again this year, according to a report from the county’s health department.
The county partners with other service providers to provide 60 motel rooms for families during the winter. People can also seek shelter at Ferndale Community Services’ severe weather shelter and at the new Lighthouse Mission shelter at 1312 F St.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
