# Community Partnership for Winter Survival: Bellingham Approves Severe Weather Shelter Agreement On a quiet Sunday afternoon at City Hall, the Bellingham City Council's Community and Economic Development Committee gathered for what would prove to be a brief but significant meeting about protecting the community's most vulnerable residents during the harsh winter months ahead. What unfolded was a straightforward but essential discussion about continuing a life-saving partnership that has become a crucial element of Whatcom County's winter safety net. ## Meeting Overview The committee meeting, chaired by Council Member Jace Cotton and attended by Committee Members Dan Hamill and Edwin "Skip" Williams, convened at 1:31 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Their singular focus was an interlocal agreement with Whatcom County to fund and operate a severe weather shelter for the 2025-2026 winter season. The 17-minute meeting demonstrated the kind of efficient, collaborative governance that emerges when elected officials and county staff have worked through the complexities of emergency shelter operations over multiple seasons. Present to explain the county's approach were Tara Sundin, the city's Community and Economic Development Manager, and Chris D'Onofrio, Whatcom County's Housing Supervisor. Their presentation revealed both the practical mechanics of emergency shelter operations and the broader philosophy behind providing temporary refuge during life-threatening weather conditions. ## The Severe Weather Shelter Partnership At the heart of the discussion was a $650,000 joint funding commitment to operate what both jurisdictions carefully distinguish as a "severe weather shelter" rather than a traditional winter shelter. This distinction, as Sundin emphasized, is crucial to understanding the program's scope and purpose. "When we refer to severe weather shelter, we're talking about activation during extreme weather conditions," Sundin explained. "Sometimes in the past, we've referred to things as winter shelter. When we talk about winter shelter, which we're not proposing under this agenda bill, that's kind of a night by night for a duration of like three to four months, but this is for severe weather shelter." The county will provide the first $450,000 in funding, with Bellingham contributing up to $100,000 from its affordable housing sales tax fund if costs exceed the county's initial commitment. Any additional expenses up to $650,000 would be split equally between the jurisdictions, with the county covering costs beyond that threshold. D'Onofrio outlined a program designed around a temperature trigger of 32 degrees Fahrenheit for four or more hours overnight, with additional consideration for wind chill and precipitation that heighten hypothermia risks. "The core purpose as mentioned was just to provide a safe place for people to go, a place for them to get a hot meal, a place where they have some semblance of security and access to some basic services," he said. The shelter will accommodate approximately 60 guests—a reduction from last year's 80 beds to provide more spacing and "better energy inside where it won't feel so crowded and so dense." Operating hours will run from 4 p.m. to 9 a.m., providing a 17-hour refuge during the most dangerous overnight periods. ## Lessons from Previous Seasons The discussion revealed how the county has refined its approach based on experience from previous winters. D'Onofrio described "a couple of pretty gnarly storms that went into nearly the two-week limit" last year, prompting plans to hire more dedicated staff rather than relying primarily on health department employees pulling double duty. "We're planning to hire a site supervisor as well as six shift leads that can rotate through and then again a handful of on-call shelter attendants," D'Onofrio explained. "We're hoping to get at least 20 people on board this year. We were at about 15 last year." Council Member Hamill expressed appreciation for this staffing improvement, noting the burden on county health department workers who had been "working a full-time job and then they're taking an overnight shift." He also raised questions about coordination with other community services, including the street medicine team, mobile medical units, and various health centers. D'Onofrio confirmed plans to bring the street medicine team to the shelter once per shift and coordinate with other outreach providers, though he noted, "I don't anticipate there being a large presence of third-party service providers sort of set up at the shelter. But we'll be aware of what is available and try and encourage people to make use of community services that would be suitable for them." ## Addressing Community Concerns Council Member Williams raised important questions about community notification and neighborhood impacts, reflecting lessons learned from previous years of moving the shelter location. "I'm glad it's in the same location because what I found, we've moved it around a lot, and there's often been like a delay before people figure out where it is," Williams observed. D'Onofrio acknowledged these challenges, explaining plans for improved communication through outreach staff and social media, while recognizing that "the first few nights each of the last seasons were slower" as word spreads through the community of people experiencing homelessness. Regarding neighborhood concerns, D'Onofrio outlined proactive plans including a community meeting where "concerned neighbors have the opportunity to come in and tell us what they're worried about and what's things that they observed last season that they'd like to avoid repeating." The county also plans improved transportation to reduce people lingering near the shelter site in the mornings, building on small improvements like the trash can the city installed at a nearby corner last year. ## Funding Philosophy and Constraints The meeting took an important turn when Williams questioned the use of affordable housing sales tax funds—revenue specifically intended for permanent housing solutions—to support what is explicitly described as an emergency shelter rather than a pathway to housing. "This is a shelter, not housing," Williams pointed out. "It's a stop-gap versus it's not meant to be a step to housing. It concerns me a little bit that those funds were created with the intention of providing permanent housing for folks in the community." Sundin's response illuminated the complex funding landscape for homelessness services and the pragmatic decisions jurisdictions must make within legal and financial constraints. She noted that the affordable housing sales tax "can be used for services including shelter operations" and that while "our first priority is housing folks, we also use both sources for sheltering." D'Onofrio provided additional context about the county's funding approach, explaining the use of consolidated homeless grants from the Washington State Department of Commerce and the strategic advantage of using grant funds that might otherwise expire. More importantly, he articulated the shelter's place in what he called "the larger homeless housing system." "Some of it is really in that harm reduction mode where we want to see that people have a very safe place to be kind of at the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy there, having the shelter so they don't freeze outside over the winter," D'Onofrio explained. "We anticipate that a lot of people will leave in more or less the condition they came in. Maybe they'll have gotten a good rest, maybe they'll have gotten some meals, but we don't anticipate this as a real meaningful segue into permanent housing." This honest assessment reflects a pragmatic understanding of what emergency shelter can and cannot accomplish within existing resource constraints. ## The Broader Service Network The discussion also revealed the interconnected nature of winter shelter services across Whatcom County. The severe weather shelter in Bellingham operates alongside a 15-bed facility in Ferndale run by Ferndale Community Services, as well as motel room programs operated by the Opportunity Council and Lydia Place for families with children. D'Onofrio noted some reduction in family shelter capacity this year, with the Opportunity Council expected to shelter about 20 families instead of 30 "due to funding constraints." The YWCA, which previously operated motel rooms during severe weather, will now focus on their new shelter on Lakeway that opened last spring. ## A Straightforward Approval Despite the complex policy questions underlying emergency shelter operations, the committee's decision was straightforward. Council Member Hamill moved to approve the interlocal agreement, stating simply, "I think that this is sorely needed in the community." The motion passed unanimously, 3-0, sending the recommendation to the full City Council for consideration that evening. ## What Lies Ahead The approved agreement positions both Whatcom County and Bellingham to respond to severe weather events from October 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026, though as Sundin clarified, the October 1 date represents when costs may begin to be incurred rather than when the shelter necessarily opens. The meeting's efficiency—lasting just 17 minutes—belied the significant coordination and planning that occurs behind the scenes to make such emergency services possible. From hiring and training staff to securing locations and coordinating with community partners, the severe weather shelter represents a substantial logistical undertaking that requires months of preparation for what may be just a few nights of operation during the worst weather. As D'Onofrio noted, predicting exactly when the shelter will be needed remains challenging: "It is impossible to fully predict precipitation, temperature, and wind chill that far in advance. We will do our best, but we understand that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we cannot fully anticipate what the weather will do." ## Closing & What's Ahead The meeting adjourned at 1:48 p.m., with Committee Chair Cotton acknowledging uncertainty about the schedule for future committee meetings but promising that information would be forthcoming. The recommendation would move to the full City Council that evening for final approval. The brevity of the meeting reflected both the routine nature of this partnership and the broad consensus that emergency shelter during life-threatening weather conditions represents a basic governmental responsibility. While questions about funding sources and long-term housing solutions persist, the immediate need to prevent deaths during severe weather created clear urgency for action. With winter weather potentially just weeks away, the approved agreement ensures that Whatcom County's most vulnerable residents will have somewhere warm and safe to go when temperatures drop and storms threaten. In a region where winter weather can be both beautiful and deadly, this partnership represents a commitment to ensuring that housing status doesn't become a matter of life and death.

### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council's Community and Economic Development Committee met on September 29, 2025 to consider an interlocal agreement with Whatcom County for operating a severe weather shelter during the 2025-2026 winter season. The committee unanimously approved the agreement, which provides city funding to support county-operated emergency shelter services for homeless individuals during dangerous weather conditions. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Severe Weather Shelter:** A temporary emergency shelter that opens only during extreme weather conditions (32 degrees or below with precipitation), distinct from winter shelters that operate continuously throughout cold months. **Interlocal Agreement:** A formal contract between two government jurisdictions (in this case, Bellingham and Whatcom County) to share costs and responsibilities for providing public services. **Affordable Housing Sales Tax:** A one-tenth of one percent sales tax approved by voters to fund affordable housing programs, authorized under House Bill 1590 in 2020. **Temperature Threshold:** The weather trigger for opening the severe weather shelter - a forecasted overnight low of 32 degrees or lower for four or more hours. **Request for Proposals (RFP):** A bidding process where governments seek private contractors to operate public services. Whatcom County received no applications for shelter operation in 2025. **Harm Reduction:** An approach to social services that focuses on reducing immediate dangers and negative consequences rather than requiring complete behavioral change. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Jace Cotton | Committee Chair, At-Large Council Member | | Dan Hamill | Committee Member, Third Ward Council Member | | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Committee Member, Fourth Ward Council Member | | Tara Sundin | Community & Economic Development Manager, City of Bellingham | | Chris D'Onofrio | Housing Program Supervisor, Whatcom County Health and Community Services | ### Background Context Homelessness remains a critical issue in Whatcom County, with unsheltered individuals facing life-threatening conditions during severe winter weather. For the past two years, Whatcom County has operated emergency shelters when no private organizations submitted proposals to run them. The shelter serves as a crucial safety net, providing basic survival services during the coldest and most dangerous nights of the year when hypothermia and frostbite risks are highest. The funding arrangement reflects the regional nature of homelessness, with Bellingham contributing city resources to support a county-operated program that serves people throughout the area. This partnership approach acknowledges that weather emergencies don't respect jurisdictional boundaries and require coordinated responses. ### What Happened — The Short Version Tara Sundin opened by correcting an error in the agenda materials, clarifying that costs would be incurred between October 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026, not that the shelter would operate continuously during those dates. Chris D'Onofrio then explained the county's plans for a 60-bed severe weather shelter, reducing capacity from 80 beds last year to allow better spacing and improved conditions. The shelter will activate when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below, operating from 4 p.m. to 9 a.m. and providing meals, hygiene supplies, security, and basic health services. The county expects to spend $400,000-$500,000 total, with Whatcom County paying the first $450,000 and Bellingham contributing up to $100,000 if costs exceed that amount. Council members asked about coordination with other services, neighborhood impacts, and the use of affordable housing sales tax funds for shelter operations. The committee unanimously approved the agreement for consideration by the full council. ### What to Watch Next - Full City Council consideration of the interlocal agreement at an upcoming evening meeting - County Council approval of the same agreement, expected within the week - Activation of the severe weather shelter when the first qualifying weather conditions occur this winter ---

**Q:** What temperature triggers the opening of the severe weather shelter? **A:** A forecasted overnight low of 32 degrees or lower for four or more hours. **Q:** How many beds will the severe weather shelter provide this year? **A:** Approximately 60 beds, reduced from 80 beds last year to allow better spacing. **Q:** Who operates the severe weather shelter? **A:** Whatcom County Health and Community Services, after receiving no applications from private providers. **Q:** What hours will the shelter operate when activated? **A:** From 4 p.m. to 9 a.m., a 17-hour period. **Q:** How much will Bellingham contribute to shelter operations? **A:** Up to $100,000, but only if county costs exceed the initial $450,000. **Q:** What is the total expected cost range for shelter operations? **A:** Between $400,000 and $500,000 for the entire season. **Q:** What funding source will Bellingham use for its contribution? **A:** The Affordable Housing Sales Tax fund. **Q:** What services will the shelter provide to guests? **A:** Sleeping cots, meals, hygiene supplies, behavioral health support, security, and neighborhood patrols. **Q:** How long did this committee meeting last? **A:** 17 minutes, from 1:31 p.m. to 1:48 p.m. **Q:** What was the committee's vote on the interlocal agreement? **A:** Unanimous approval, 3-0. **Q:** What correction did Tara Sundin make about the agenda bill? **A:** Costs will be incurred between October 1-April 30, not that the shelter will operate continuously during those dates. **Q:** How many staff does the county plan to hire this year? **A:** At least 20 people, including a site supervisor, six shift leads, and on-call attendants. **Q:** What other location will also have a severe weather shelter? **A:** Ferndale, operated by Ferndale Community Services with 15 beds. **Q:** What was the capacity issue with last year's 80-bed shelter? **A:** It felt too crowded and dense, prompting the reduction to 60 beds this year. **Q:** Who made the motion to approve the agreement? **A:** Council Member Dan Hamill. **Q:** What type of meeting was this? **A:** A committee meeting with no public comment period, focused on review and recommendation. **Q:** What concern did Skip Williams raise about the funding source? **A:** That affordable housing sales tax funds were intended for permanent housing, not emergency shelter. **Q:** How will the county notify the public when the shelter opens? **A:** Through outreach staff, social media, and coordination with partner agencies, ideally 48 hours in advance. **Q:** What improvements are planned to address neighborhood impacts? **A:** Better transportation to move people away in mornings, community meetings with neighbors, and continued security patrols. **Q:** What happens after the county spends its initial $450,000? **A:** The city and county will equally share the next $200,000 in costs, up to $650,000 total. ---