The Bakerview/Northwest encampment clearing is less than two weeks away, and Whatcom County is facing a humanitarian crisis. Displacing dozens of people in the middle of January—one of the coldest and most dangerous times of the year—is both a short-term emergency and part of the larger, ongoing crisis of homelessness in our community.
We are urging Whatcom County to open the Severe Weather Shelter for 14 consecutive days starting January 15, 2025. This small yet critical window would provide much-needed shelter for those displaced by the clearing and could save lives.
Whatcom County Is Facing an Emergency
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an emergency as:
• “An unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action.”
• “An urgent need for assistance or relief.”
This situation meets every definition of an emergency. We have witnessed multiple nights with temperatures at or below freezing, leaving at least 650 individuals unsheltered in Whatcom County, based on the 2024 Point-in-Time Count.
At full capacity, the Severe Weather Shelter and Lighthouse Mission Ministries combined can provide 350 beds, a number woefully insufficient to meet the demand. 82 unhoused individuals died in 2024—how many more lives will it take before action is taken?
Why 14 Days Matter
Opening the shelter for two weeks surrounding the encampment clearing is not only feasible but crucial. The county itself has admitted that operating for up to 14 consecutive days avoids the lengthy permitting process required for extended operations. By doing this, we can:
• Provide displaced individuals with immediate access to warmth, safety, and essential resources.
• Reduce strain on other community services, such as emergency rooms and law enforcement.
• Demonstrate compassion and responsibility during this critical time.
This is not an unreasonable ask. It is the humane and responsible course of action.
Whatcom County’s Admissions
The county has already acknowledged the urgency of this crisis. Director of Health and Community Services Erika Lautenbach stated:
• “We need another shelter. Our region needs another shelter.”
• “It’s really hard for us to see people sleeping on the streets and suffering.”
• “To make sure that in the harshest conditions, people aren’t dying on the streets.”
However, the county has failed to act on its own admissions, citing “dollars and cents” as the reason for inaction. This is unacceptable. The cost of operating the shelter pales in comparison to the human cost of leaving hundreds of people unsheltered in freezing conditions.
What Needs to Happen Now
1. Open the Severe Weather Shelter for Two Weeks
• Begin operations on January 15, 2025, to provide critical shelter during and after the encampment clearing.
2. Relax or Expedite Permitting Requirements
• Permitting hurdles should not stand in the way of sheltering people in need. Waive or expedite requirements to allow continuous shelter operations during emergencies.
3. Issue a New RFP for a Year-Round Shelter
• The county’s rushed 10-day RFP window for the previous shelter bid was inadequate. A new RFP with sufficient time for responses must be issued immediately to secure a provider for a year-round shelter.
4. Plan for Winter 2025 Now
• This year’s failures must not be repeated. Start planning now to ensure adequate shelter capacity next winter.
How You Can Help
1. Sign the Petition:
Add your voice to the growing number of supporters demanding action.
https://www.change.org/WhatcomWinterShelter
2. Sign Up for the Protest:
Join the “Night Out in the Cold” protest to stand in solidarity with those left unsheltered. Even if you can’t stay all night, your participation helps amplify the message.
https://form.jotform.com/243544752585061
3. Contact Your Leaders:
Demand immediate action from local government:
• Satpal Sidhu (County Executive): ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us
• Whatcom County Council: council@co.whatcom.wa.us
• Mayor Kim Lund: mayorsoffice@cob.org
• Severe Weather Shelter Team: wintershelter@whatcomcounty.us
The Time to Act Is Now
With the encampment clearing less than two weeks away and freezing conditions continuing, this is an emergency. By opening the shelter for 14 days, Whatcom County has the opportunity to save lives, reduce suffering, and demonstrate its commitment to all its residents.
No more excuses, no more delays. It’s time for action.
Sign the Petition: https://www.change.org/WhatcomWinterShelter
Sign Up for the Protest: https://form.jotform.com/243544752585061
With Gratitude,
Tukayote Helianthus