September 14, 2023 Dena Jensen

From a recently closed Whatcom County Request for Proposal (RFP): “The County and the City would consider making additional funding available to support the operation of a continuous Winter Shelter, if necessary.”

“…if necessary”??? What kind of language is this after years of brutality to many community members otherwise left to sleep outside during winter?

How about, “…will gladly be provided if someone can please provide this desperately needed resource that is by far preferable to a shelter that is only available on a few sporadically announced occasions”?

Bottom line, despite continued challenges with County outreach, it looks like we may be having a Winter Shelter that is open reliably for a number of months this year if all the details are worked out.

At Bellingham City Council’s 9/11/23 Community and Economic Development Committee meeting, Tara Sundin, the City Planning Department’s Community & Economic Development Manager told Council Member Kristina Martens that someone had applied to contract to operate a Winter Shelter for those who otherwise would have no other option but to sleep outside.

This is different from the Severe Weather Shelters that have been operated by various entities in past cold weather seasons in Whatcom County, and which are only operated intermittently when temperatures drop well below what is humane to expect people to endure surviving.

Upon review of the RFP, although it was titled “Severe Winter Weather Shelter Facility Operator(s) – Within Bellingham City Limits,” there was content in the RFP indicating funding was being offered by Whatcom County for either type of shelter.

This is also text from the RFP: “Whatcom County has seen a 27% increase in homelessness according to the 2023 Point in Time Count. The 23-24 winter season is also expected to have fewer options for winter shelter capacity than in past winter seasons.” I haven’t heard yet what options will be going away this season – possibly Lighthouse Mission’s overflow facility?

And in a sort of cryptic P.S. that was not elaborated on by Sundin and about which no Council Members asked questions, Whatcom County is apparently additionally “looking at” some kind of “severe weather shelter alternative.” Tara Sundin said she hoped to have a much more thorough update for Council Member in a couple weeks.

Here’s the link to the place in the meeting where sheltering began being discussed: https://youtu.be/Y46ePYpS6rE?si=czHer7Wcgt7IBj4n&t=578

Here’s the link to the full RFP that closed on August 29: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/77699/23-57-Severe-Winter-Weather-Shelter-Facility-Operators—City-of-Bham?bidId=533