Thank you for your continued support as we fight for consistent and compassionate shelter policies in Whatcom County. The publicly available historical weather data is clear: out of 12 freezing nights (32°F or below) in November and December, the winter weather shelter was open for only 2 nights. It has been closed 83% of the time during qualifying conditions.
This means that on 10 dangerously cold nights, unhoused individuals were left without access to a safe, warm place to escape the cold.
What This Means
1. Lives Are At Risk
• Hypothermia doesn’t wait for temperatures to hit extreme lows. Each of these 12 freezing nights represented a life-threatening risk to people living outside, especially those without adequate protection from the elements.
2. Missed Opportunities to Save Lives
• The county has leased the shelter building from November through March, at a cost of $13,000 per month, but it has been underutilized.
• The shelter could have provided refuge on at least 10 additional freezing nights, saving lives and protecting vulnerable individuals.
3. Failing the Most Vulnerable
• Opening the shelter for just 2 nights out of 12 freezing nights isn’t just a failure of policy—it’s a failure of compassion and responsibility.
The Solution: A Consistent and Compassionate Shelter Policy
1. Raise the Shelter Threshold to 40°F
• Dangerous conditions don’t stop at 32°F. Hypothermia often occurs at temperatures below 40°F, especially with wind chill or rain.
• Opening the shelter at 40°F would ensure that no one is left to suffer in dangerously cold weather.
2. Commit to Full Use of Resources
• The shelter is already leased and funded. It should be open on all freezing or near-freezing nights to ensure the safety of unhoused individuals.
3. Proactive and Consistent Operations
• Sporadic openings erode trust and leave people guessing. A predictable, reliable schedule would save lives and build trust with the unhoused community.
Call to Action
The numbers don’t lie: Whatcom County’s shelter policy has left 10 freezing nights unaddressed, putting lives at risk. We must demand better.
Here’s what you can do:
• Share This Petition: Spread the word and encourage others to sign.
• Contact Local Leaders: Demand a 40°F threshold and consistent shelter operations to protect our community’s most vulnerable.
• Stay Engaged: Continue to follow updates and advocate for accountability and change.
Thank you for standing with us in this fight. Together, we can ensure no one is left out in the cold. Let’s push for Whatcom County to step up and do better this winter. There is absolutely no excuse for having a shelter closed on multiple nights below freezing.
With Gratitude,
Tukayote Helianthus