Whatcom County has announced that the Severe Weather Shelter will be open on the evenings of Sunday, January 12th, and Monday, January 13th. This is a positive step, and we are grateful for the county’s decision to act in response to the forecasted freezing temperatures.
However, this is just the beginning. The upcoming clearing of the Bakerview/Northwest encampment on January 20th will displace dozens of individuals during one of the coldest months of the year. This is a short-term emergency on top of the broader homelessness crisis in our county.
We Must Stay Focused on the Emergency
Opening the shelter for two nights is important, but it does not address the larger crisis at hand. The encampment clearing will push vulnerable individuals into freezing conditions without adequate shelter or resources.
This is why we continue to demand the following actions from our leaders:
1. Open the Severe Weather Shelter for Two Continuous Weeks Starting January 15, 2025
• This would provide critical shelter for those displaced by the clearing and those suffering in the cold.
2. Relax or Expedite Permitting Requirements
• Remove bureaucratic barriers to ensure shelters can operate continuously during emergencies.
3. Issue a New RFP for a Year-Round Shelter
• The county’s previous 10-day RFP window was insufficient. A new RFP with adequate time for responses is needed to secure a year-round shelter operator.
4. Plan for Winter 2025 Now
• The county must start planning now to prevent this crisis from repeating next winter.
The Crisis by the Numbers
• The 2024 Point-in-Time Count revealed over 1,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County.
• The Severe Weather Shelter and Lighthouse Mission Ministries can only provide 350 beds combined, leaving at least 650 people unsheltered every night.
• In 2024, 82 unhoused individuals died in Whatcom County.
How many more lives will it take before this emergency is truly addressed?
How You Can Help
1. Sign the Petition:
Add your voice to the growing call for action.
https://www.change.org/WhatcomWinterShelter
2. Sign Up for the Protest:
Join the “Night Out in the Cold” protest and stand in solidarity with those left unsheltered. Even if you can’t stay all night, your presence helps amplify the message.
https://form.jotform.com/243544752585061
3. Contact Your Leaders:
Tell them this emergency cannot be ignored. Demand continuous shelter operations and real solutions.
• 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
This Is a Step, Not the Solution
While we are encouraged by the county’s decision to open the shelter for two nights, it is clear that much more needs to be done. The encampment clearing on January 20th represents an imminent emergency, and we cannot afford further delays.
Let’s continue to push for immediate action and long-term solutions to ensure no one in our community is left out in the cold.
Sign the Petition: https://www.change.org/WhatcomWinterShelter
Sign Up for the Protest: https://form.jotform.com/243544752585061
With Gratitude,
Tukayote Helianthus