Whatcom County Council approved a lease with Lutheran Community Services Northwest Wednesday night to operate this winter’s severe weather shelter out of a building in downtown Bellingham.
The former Central Lutheran Church property at 925 N. Forest St. will be able to hold up to 70 guests on nights when the shelter is open. Whatcom County Health and Community Services will again operate the secular shelter, expected to activate starting Nov. 15.
The 7,000-square-foot basement space has indoor restrooms and a “catering-style kitchen” to reheat prepared food. The lease runs from Nov. 1 to March 31, 2025, at a cost of $66,625, paid for with funds from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Consolidated Homeless Grant.
“After months of searching, we are grateful to have found a willing and supportive partner to help us provide this life-saving intervention during dangerous weather conditions. We hope that we can continue to build on this partnership in the coming years,” Community Health and Human Services Manager Ann Beck said in a news release.
Lutheran Community Services Northwest purchased the Central Lutheran Church property at the beginning of this year, after the church held its last service at the end of 2023. CEO David Duea said Lutheran Community Services Northwest wants to be “good neighbors,” and the organization is taking time to “thoughtfully evaluate how we can best serve this community.”
Members of the public can help by signing up to donate warm food or clothing, or by working or volunteering for the shelter. More info at: shelterstatus.com.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
