Petition Update: No Warming Centers & Freezing Conditions—Immediate Action Needed

918 supporters agree: The temperature threshold must be raised, and shelter operations must be consistent and fully staffed. No more last-minute closures due to staffing shortages. We need a long-term solution.

That’s why we are calling on the city and county to begin planning TODAY for the 2025/2026 severe weather shelter operations. This year’s failures cannot be repeated.

But we also need urgent action right now.

Despite dangerously cold temperatures this week, there are NO official daytime warming centers. People who sleep at the Severe Weather Shelter at night are forced out into the cold during the day, facing up to 16 hours of exposure in wind chills that dropped to 5°F earlier today.

This is inhumane and life-threatening. Hypothermia does not wait for nighttime.

We need immediate action from our local leaders to open daytime warming centers for unsheltered individuals. We are demanding that city and county leaders find a solution immediately.

What We Are Asking For

1. A permanent plan for 2025/2026 severe weather shelter operations to avoid last-minute closures and staffing shortages.

2. Immediate opening of daytime warming centers to protect unsheltered individuals from dangerous exposure.

3. Utilization of available city, county, or school facilities to provide emergency warming space.

4. Staffing solutions so that shelters remain open without gaps in service.

How You Can Help Right Now

We need you to contact local leaders and demand immediate warming centers. Tell them this is an emergency and that they must act now.

Here are the officials to contact:

Satpal Sidhu, Whatcom County Executive

Email: ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us

Whatcom County Council

Email: council@co.whatcom.wa.us

Mayor Kim Lund, City of Bellingham

Email: mayorsoffice@cob.org

Bellingham City Council

Email: ccmail@cob.org

Whatcom County Health and Community Services (Winter Shelter Program)

Email: wintershelter@whatcomcounty.us

Sample Email or Message to Send:

Subject: Urgent Need for Daytime Warming Centers & Shelter Planning

Dear [Official’s Name],

I am writing to express my deep concern about the ongoing lack of daytime warming centers for people experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County. This week, wind chills have dropped as low as 5°F, and unsheltered individuals are being forced outside for up to 16 hours during the day. This is a life-threatening emergency.

The Whatcom Severe Weather Shelter is open only at night, leaving people exposed to dangerous conditions during the day. We need immediate action to open warming centers so that no one is left to suffer in freezing temperatures.

There are multiple available options, including:

• The Bellingham Farmers Market building on Railroad Avenue

(With Lighthouse Mission cooperation) Opening their Drop-In Center for expanded warming space

Any available city, county, or school district facility that can provide temporary emergency shelter

I am also asking that Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham immediately begin planning for the 2025/2026 severe weather shelter season. The current shelter model has proven to be unreliable, inconsistent, and dangerous due to staffing shortages and last-minute closures. This cannot happen again next winter.

I urge you to take action NOW to protect vulnerable members of our community. Lives are at stake.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]

[Your City, Whatcom County Resident]

Share This Petition

This petition is making a difference, but we need more voices. Share it on social media, send it to friends and family, and let’s keep the pressure on.

Petition Link: https://www.change.org/WhatcomWinterShelter

We cannot let this issue fade into the background. People’s lives depend on it. Let’s demand action NOW.

With Gratitude,

Tukayote Helianthus