Open Letter to Local Government: Open the Shelter!

From: Tukayote Helianthus <emailme@tukayote.com>
Date: Friday, January 31, 2025 at 13:31
To: mayorsoffice@cob.org <mayorsoffice@cob.org>, ccmail@cob.org <ccmail@cob.org>, hestone@cob.org <hestone@cob.org>, hahuthman@cob.org <hahuthman@cob.org>, dchammill@cob.org <dchammill@cob.org>, Cotton, Jace A. <jacotton@cob.org>, ehwilliams@cob.org <ehwilliams@cob.org>, laanderson@cob.org <laanderson@cob.org>, mlilliquist@cob.org <mlilliquist@cob.org>, Council <council@co.whatcom.wa.us>, CFrazey@co.whatcom.wa.us <CFrazey@co.whatcom.wa.us>, kgallowa@co.whatcom.wa.us <kgallowa@co.whatcom.wa.us>, bbuchana@co.whatcom.wa.us <bbuchana@co.whatcom.wa.us>, tdonovan@co.whatcom.wa.us <tdonovan@co.whatcom.wa.us>, tbyrd@co.whatcom.wa.us <tbyrd@co.whatcom.wa.us>, belenbaa@co.whatcom.wa.us <belenbaa@co.whatcom.wa.us>, DTanksle@co.whatcom.wa.us <DTanksle@co.whatcom.wa.us>, ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us <ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us>, Jon Scanlon <JScanlon@co.whatcom.wa.us>
Subject: Whatcom Severe Winter Shelter – Closed on Saturday and 45% of the nights that met the 32F threshold

Dear Executive Satpal Sidhu, Whatcom County Council Members, Mayor Kim Lund, Bellingham City Council, and Sheriff Tanksley,

I am writing to you with urgent concern regarding the continued failures in operating the Whatcom Severe Weather Shelter, particularly in light of the Winter Storm Watch issued for our region this weekend.

As of now, the Whatcom County Severe Weather Shelter is not scheduled to open on Saturday, February 1st, despite forecasted temperatures of 31°F without wind chill factored in, and significant snowfall expected. How can this be justified, especially when the county has publicly stated that 32F or below temperatures, wind chill, AND precipitation would be considered in opening decisions?

For months, the community has repeatedly asked you to fix the failures of the severe weather shelter system, and the consequences of inaction have already been felt through freezing nights, unnecessary closures, and a shelter that has been closed for nearly half of the nights it should have been open. We implore you to take immediate action to prevent another avoidable crisis.

Winter Storm Incoming, Yet the Shelter is Closed Saturday Night

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for our area. With temperatures forecasted at 31°F and wind chill expected to make conditions even colder, leaving people outside without shelter is a life-threatening failure.

The county has previously stated:

   •       “We will consider wind chill.”

   •       “To make sure that in the harshest conditions, people aren’t dying on the streets.”

Yet time and time again, this has proven untrue in practice.

   •       On Thursday night, January 30th, wind chill reached 29°F and the shelter remained closed.

   •       The shelter has been closed for 45% of the nights that met the 32°F threshold since November 2024.

This is not “considering wind chill.” This is neglecting the very real dangers of freezing temperatures and winter storms.

The Shelter Has the Funds – Why Is It Closed?

The budgeted funds for the shelter remain untouched for over 39 nights of operation. Furthermore, the City of Bellingham just pledged $150,000 in additional funding, once county funding is exhausted.

Why is the shelter closed when funding is available?

Staffing Excuses Do Not Hold Up

County officials have cited staffing shortages as a reason for these closures. Yet, the county itself suspended hiring for shelter assistants and has failed to retroactively contact applicants who applied for staffing or volunteer positions.

This is not an unavoidable issue—this is a failure of planning.

   •       The most recent job posting was only open for four days and not widely advertised.

   •       Multiple applicants and volunteers have reported that they were never contacted after applying.

Additionally, last year’s Road2Home shelter model operated for 90 continuous nights without staffing issues—yet the county chose a different model that relies on an on-call system that has proven unreliable.

If the county refuses to properly staff the shelter, it is the county’s own failure that is leading to closures.

What Needs to Happen Immediately:

     1.    Open the Shelter on Saturday, February 3rd, Due to the Winter Storm Watch.

        •  No more delays. No more “coming soon” announcements.

        •  The funds are available. The weather conditions demand action.

     2.    Ensure the Shelter Remains Open Every Night Freezing Conditions Are Expected.

        •  The remaining budget should be used immediately to prevent further unnecessary closures.

        •  Stop the “wait and see” approach—people should not be left wondering if shelter will be available.

     3.    Reopen Hiring Immediately and Contact All Past Applicants.

        •  If staffing is an issue, hire more people and actually respond to applicants.

        •  The county cannot claim a staffing shortage while refusing to hire more staff.

     4.    Provide Clear, Long-Term Plans for Shelter Operations.

        •  The public should not have to wait days at a time to know if the shelter will open.

        •  If a six-night activation could be announced earlier this month, why can’t the same be done now?

This Cannot Be Ignored Any Longer

Leadership at both the City and County levels have acknowledged the need for more shelter.

   •       “We need another shelter, I don’t disagree with the intent of the petition.” – Erika Lautenbach, Director of Whatcom County Health & Community Services

   •       “Our region needs another shelter.” – Lautenbach

   •       “The rates of homelessness continue to go up.” – Lautenbach

Yet instead of action, we get excuses, poor planning, and preventable closures.

We need bold leadership to prevent people from suffering in the cold while a fully paid-for shelter sits empty.

It is time to act.  912 Petitioners agree.

I urge you: Do not let another night of freezing temperatures (including wind chill) go by without an open shelter.

Please respond with immediate action and open the shelter for Saturday, February 1st, and for EVERY QUALIFYING NIGHT beyond.

With Gratitude,

Tukayote Helianthus