Thank you for your continued support of this petition. With every day that passes, it becomes more evident that Whatcom County’s shelter system is failing to meet the needs of those it’s meant to serve. Sporadic shelter openings are dangerous enough, but the lack of effective communication about shelter availability is making an already dire situation even worse.
The Communication Breakdown
1. Outreach Volunteers in the Dark:
• Recent discussions with outreach volunteers revealed that many were completely unaware that the shelter was open on December 9 and 10. These volunteers are on the frontlines, working directly with unhoused individuals, yet they are not being given the information they need to guide people to shelter.
2. Unhoused Individuals Unaware:
• My personal survey of unhoused individuals in downtown Bellingham found that many didn’t know the shelter existed or when it would be open. This is a catastrophic failure in outreach and communication.
3. Mistrust in the System:
• When unhoused individuals and outreach teams cannot rely on accurate, timely information about shelter openings, it erodes trust. People stop trying to access the shelter, fearing it will be closed when they arrive.
The Result: Lives Left at Risk
Without clear, consistent communication, the county’s winter weather shelter is failing to reach the people it’s designed to protect. Coupled with sporadic and unpredictable operations, this failure is putting lives at risk during one of the coldest times of the year.
What Needs to Change
1. Commit to Consistency:
• The shelter must operate continuously whenever temperatures fall below 40°F, including wind chill. This predictable schedule would ensure no one is left to guess if the shelter will be open during dangerously cold weather.
2. Develop a Robust Communication Plan:
• The county must create a system that ensures shelter information reaches everyone:
• Outreach Volunteers: Volunteers must be updated regularly and promptly about shelter availability so they can guide people to safety.
• Unhoused Individuals: Information must be shared through multiple channels, including direct outreach, printed flyers, and word-of-mouth from trusted partners.
3. Rebuild Trust with the Community:
• Consistent operations and clear communication will help rebuild trust with unhoused individuals and the outreach workers who support them.
The Cost of Inaction
The failure to communicate effectively is not just an inconvenience—it is a matter of life and death. With two unhoused individuals dying every week in Whatcom County, every missed opportunity to connect someone with shelter is another preventable tragedy.
The current shelter model, costing up to $21,111 per night, is both inefficient and ineffective. Proven models like Road2Home, operating at $111 per bed per night, demonstrate that consistency and communication can be achieved while saving money and protecting other programs.
What You Can Do
Your voice is critical in pushing for these necessary changes:
1. Share This Petition: Help spread the word about the urgent need for consistent shelter operations and effective communication.
2. Demand Accountability: Contact local leaders to advocate for a shelter that operates predictably below 40°F and ensures everyone knows when it is open.
3. Stay Engaged: Continue to follow updates and support efforts to fix the communication and operational failures that are costing lives.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Whatcom County must act now to save lives and rebuild trust. A shelter that operates consistently and ensures timely communication is not just possible—it is essential. Let’s keep pushing for a system that truly serves the most vulnerable members of our community.
Thank you for your continued support. Every voice matters, and together, we can make sure no one is left out in the cold.