Whatcom County’s severe weather shelter closes for season; 2,287 stays reported this winter
Whatcom County’s Severe Weather Shelter officially ended its operations for the season after it “sheltered more people in a larger facility with more support for our guests than any previous county-run shelter,” according to a season recap announcement by the County.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) and Lutheran Community Services Northwest partnered to operate the facility at the former Central Lutheran Church building on N. Forest Street in Bellingham.
Preliminary data released by Whatcom County shows the shelter served 315 individuals over 27 nights throughout the season with 2,287 total guest stays.
The shelter operated at full capacity for 24 of the 27 nights it was open. The shelter’s highest occupancy in a single night was 104 individuals, including people sleeping on cots and those choosing to stay in the lobby when cot space was full.
“We are proud of the work done to increase shelter capacity and guest support compared to the previous winter,” the announcement said. “We also recognize that the number of people seeking emergency shelter—and housing of all types—continues to increase even faster.”
The shelter opened to guests when overnight temperatures were expected to fall to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below in Bellingham. That threshold is up from 28 degrees Fahrenheit last winter after multiple factors were considered including shelter permitting restrictions, staffing availability and operating budget.
In addition to shelter space, the staff and volunteers at the facility also offered meals, on-site medical care and transportation.
Throughout the season, shelter operators served 4,570 meals, provided medical care to 85 guests and provided 126 transportation rides, the data shows.
The shelter employed 20 temporary paid staff. It also utilized 45 volunteers along with 24 full-time WCHCS staff members to supplement shifts.
Shelter operations were a significant point of community concern this winter as questions were raised about a lack of available shelter options in Whatcom County, both daytime and overnight. Other community members questioned whether the shelter’s temperature threshold should be raised to increase its number of operational nights.
Neighbors of the shelter also voiced concerns over some drug use, violence, camping and trash on the streets and properties surrounding the facility.
The County’s announcement said the “important work” of operating a severe weather shelter is “complex and challenging” and would be best provided by an organization that could fully focus on providing shelter services.
“In an effort to keep WCHCS’s focus on system funding and coordination, we will work hard in the coming months to bring on an agency partner who will manage the day-to-day operations of a shelter for the coming winter. A request for proposals is planned for the coming months to formalize a relationship with a community partner who can provide this crucial service. This will allow WCHCS staff to focus on the full housing needs continuum,” the announcement said.
A full report and review of the 2024-2025 winter shelter program is expected to be completed and presented to the Whatcom County Council by May, according to WCHCS.
This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM.
