Whatcom County identifies location of severe weather shelter for upcoming winter season
As a La Niña pattern is bringing the possibility of a cold, wet winter, Whatcom County is nearing a deal for a severe weather shelter that would open when temperatures dip below freezing.
Because no private organization volunteered to operate a severe weather shelter this season, the Whatcom County Department of Health and Community Services is taking the lead to hire and train workers, Chris D’Onofrio said in a presentation to the Bellingham City Council on Monday.
Lutheran Community Services in the Central Lutheran Church at 925 N. Forest St. will be providing overnight space for up to 70 people, D’Onofrio said.
“We’re working to iron out the details,” D’Onofrio said. A lease agreement will require County Council approval.
Whatcom County is contributing $450,000 for the severe weather shelter, and the city of Bellingham will be asked to add about $100,000, he said.
Health Department officials were hoping that the new Lighthouse Mission would be able to provide additional shelter space during an extended cold snap or a snowstorm.
But the mission, which opened earlier this month, is only able to guarantee 20 to 40 beds during severely cold weather because it is still hiring and training staff, D’Onofrio said.
Lighthouse Mission staff have said that they will be able to provide up to 100 beds for homeless people during cold snaps in the future.
This story was originally published October 21, 2024 at 3:21 PM.
