Whatcom County is seeking a location for its upcoming severe weather shelter.
Expected to operate from November to February or March, health department Human Services Manager Ann Beck told Whatcom County Council on Tuesday, Sept. 24 that the county has opened its job posting for roughly 15 people to help county staff operate the shelter, but has faced challenges in finding a location. Previous locations, such as last year’s State Street site, are not options this year.
The county is working with a realtor and has one possible location at a faith-based facility in Bellingham, but nothing is set yet, Beck said. “As of now, that’s our only possible glimmer for a space.”
Beck said the county is eager to speak with anyone in the community who might have a space to offer, ideally a space that can accommodate a lower-barrier shelter for 45–70 single individuals. The facility must be safe, dry and warm, and have doors that lock, running water and restrooms, Beck said. The county has pursued a number of locations, but some property owners have declined due to concerns about shelter impacts and the six-month nature of the proposed lease.
While moving forward on plans to host its own severe weather shelter, the county is also posting another Request for Proposals for a severe weather shelter or a winter shelter operator.
“We’re going to just keep asking if people want to do it, because we would love to not do it,” Beck said. “We love doing it because we know we’re keeping people safe, but it is an incredible lift and it can be a very daunting thing, as there’s a lot of risk that goes into this.”
Last year, the county spent $400,000 to operate its severe weather shelter for 20 nights. The effort required a significant amount of overtime hours from staff, as well, with 69% of that budget going to staffing expenses.
Other organizations are also operating severe weather shelters this year: Ferndale Community Services will again run its shelter at the United Church of Ferndale from November to March, and about 100 households, predominately those with children or households fleeing domestic violence, will be able to stay in motels through the county’s various partners, Beck said.
By winter, Lighthouse Mission’s new shelter will be open, with 300 nightly beds. Eventually, the shelter will be able to accommodate 100 additional guests during severe weather events, but Housing Specialist Chris D’Onofrio said the Mission doesn’t have enough staff to accommodate another 100 people this year, and will likely have 20 additional beds during severe weather events.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
