Bellingham crews begin cleaning up encampment near Walmart, where the unhoused have moved on
Crews with the city of Bellingham began cleanup efforts at the encampment behind Walmart on E. Stuart Road in Bellingham on Tuesday morning, Nov. 19.
The city closed a portion of the road immediately outside of the encampment while about 15 crew members worked by hand to put items in trash bags. Other crew members operated machinery to clear larger items like shopping carts from the property.
Crews also used a Vactor truck as part of the cleanup efforts which is equipped with an industrial vacuum to assist with cleaning and excavation tasks like sewer and storm drain cleaning.
The first phase of work was focused on the property’s boundary and was expected to last a few days. Once cleanup efforts are complete along the property edge, fencing will be installed to prevent people from moving back into the area, according to the city.
Mitigating the rest of the property will occur in several phases and could take months or even years due to the extent of the waste, the city told The Bellingham Herald.
The city posted notices of the impending clean-up at the property along with orders to vacate starting on Thursday, Nov. 14.
“To all who are occupying the property located at E. Stuart and Deemer Roads, the condition of the property amounts to a public nuisance. The city of Bellingham and private property owners will clean up a portion of the property to begin abating the nuisance,” the notice states.
The notice asks those on the property to remove themselves and their personal property by 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, and to not return at risk of facing legal action.
All encampment residents appeared to have left the property before cleanup began Tuesday morning.
“The cty of Bellingham acknowledges that many people experiencing housing insecurity face a lack of readily available safe and legal places to stay. However, encampments on public and private property are not permitted and pose health and safety concerns,” the notice stated.
Available community resources
The notice included a list of available shelters, mental health support resources, basic needs facilities, healthcare services, and behavioral health/substance use treatment facilities including:
Support Resources
▪ Opportunity Council, (360) 734-5121.
▪ Homeless Outreach Team, (360) 312-3717.
Basic Needs
▪ Bellingham Food Bank, (360) 676-0392.
▪ The Way Station, 1500 N State Street.
▪ Lighthouse Mission Ministries, (360) 733-5120.
▪ Hope House (360) 671-8702.
Safety
▪ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, (360) 715-1563.
Mental Health Support
▪ Whatcom County Crisis Triage Services (360) 676-2020.
▪ Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, 1-800-584-3578.
▪ Lummi Care, (360) 312-2420.
Behavioral Health/Substance Use Treatment
▪ Ascent Men’s Recovery Program, (360) 733-5120.
▪ Catholic Community Services, (360) 676-2187.
▪ Whatcom Community Detox, (360) 676-2020.
▪ Nooksack Tribe Genesis II, (360) 966-7704.
▪ Lifeline Connections, (360) 922-3030.
▪ Bellingham Vet Center, (360) 733-9226.
Healthcare
▪ SeaMar Clinic, (360) 671-3225.
▪ Community Paramedics, (360) 739-5413.
▪ Unity Care NW, (360) 676-6117.
Youth Services
▪ The Ground Floor Drop-In, (360) 927-6388.
▪ The PAD House, (360) 393-0116.
▪ NW Youth Services, (360) 734-9862.
This story was originally published November 19, 2024 at 4:11 PM.
