Bellingham medical, hygiene facility for unhoused far exceeds service projection
A new Bellingham hygiene and medical respite center for unhoused individuals has far exceeded its service projections in its first six months of operation — something its operators say speaks to soaring community need.
“The facility was created to address a basic but urgent need: access to hygiene services, health care, and medical respite for those living without shelter. The high demand reflects the scale and urgency of the housing crisis in the community,” Unity Care NW said in a press release about the capacity.
Since opening its doors in late 2024, The Way Station in downtown Bellingham has provided services to more than 1,000 people experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County.
The facility was initially anticipated to serve about 750 individuals in its first year of operation.
“The Way Station is not a solution to homelessness, but it plays a critical role in the community’s response,” said Jodi Joyce, CEO of Unity Care NW. “It offers life-changing support to people who are often left behind — helping stabilize their health, restoring dignity, and connecting them to the resources they need to find a path forward.”
The Way Station is operated through a partnership between Unity Care NW, Opportunity Council, PeaceHealth and Whatcom County Health and Community Services.
The facility provides a range of integrated services, including:
▪ Primary medical care
▪ Behavioral health services
▪ Substance use disorder treatment
▪ Case management
▪ Showers
▪ Laundry facilities
▪ Restrooms
▪ Medical respite and meals
This story was originally published July 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
