Click the graphic to access Whatcom County’s Winter Emergency Shelter Options page
January 10, 2020 Dena Jensen
Emergency Winter Shelter Hotline: (360) 788-7983
The big storm that weather services have been predicting for the last couple weeks is here. People without shelter will be getting soaked, with extremely chilling temperatures closing in during the weekend. Whatcom County has posted Severe Weather Shelter openings starting Sunday night when lows are predicted to be 18 degrees according to the National Weather Service forecast specifically for Bellingham.
At this point, Whatcom County has said shelters will be open until Wednesday and that,
“The need for severe weather shelters to operate after Wednesday night will be reevaluated as forecasts are updated next week.”
Note that two shelters will be open January 12, at Garden St. United Methodist Church, serving families with children, and at Christ the King Church serving adult men. Seventh Day Adventist Church will open their shelter on Monday January 13 and it is projected to remain open until January 15, serving adults. Fountain Community Church, serving adults, will open on Wednesday January 15.
Here’s how the text of their post regarding the opening of severe weather shelters reads:
During winter months, emergency shelters for people who are living homeless will operate at various locations in Bellingham.
To get up-to-date shelter information, call the Emergency Winter Shelter Hotline at (360) 788-7983.
Severe weather shelters will open beginning Sunday, January 12.
Family Shelter: Garden St. United Methodist Church will be offering space for families with children to stay the night. To check in before 4:00 pm on a weekday, visit the Opportunity Council at 1111 Cornwall Avenue. To check in after hours or on a weekend, call 360-593-7500 to find out if space is available.
CTK Adult Men’s Shelter: Christ the King Church (CTK) will operate a shelter for adult men on January 12, 13 and 14. Guests must check in for this shelter by 6:30pm at the “Jubilee Station” located near the Lighthouse Mission at 1012 W Holly Street. Guests will be transported to the shelter, located at CTK’s Norway Hall.
Seventh Day Adventist Adult Shelter: The Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 5321 Waschke Road in North Bellingham will open a shelter for adults beginning Monday, January 13. Additional details about this shelter location will be available on Monday, January 13 through the Emergency Winter Shelter Hotline at (360)788-7983.
FCC Adult Shelter: Fountain Community Church (FCC) will open a severe weather shelter for adults on Wednesday, January 15. Guests must check in for this shelter by 6:30pm at the “Jubilee Station” located near the Lighthouse Mission at 1012 W Holly Street. Guests will be transported to the shelter.
The need for severe weather shelters to operate after Wednesday night will be reevaluated as forecasts are updated next week.
Shelter is also available at:
Here’s the link to the County’s Winter Emergency Shelter Options page: http://www.whatcomcounty.us/3167/35972/Homeless-Shelters
Besides sharing this information to friends, neighbors, and those who may need shelter, another way community members can help is to stay in touch with and offer support to the folks at HomesNOW! You can message them via their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/HomesNowNotLater/. They are aware of the people performing nighttime winter outreach to those who need services or shelter.
HomesNOW! also has an outreach dashboard on their webpage where you can get an email address to contact them or fill out an online form for when you see somebody who’s in trouble out on the streets or out in the county that needs help: https://homesnow.org/outreach/
noisy waters northwest 
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