Clark County shelters are preparing to house people in need during the impending winter storm forecasted to begin Friday night.
Those in need of shelter should call the Housing Hotline at 360-695-9677. The hotline is open 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends. People can also call 360-723-5054 if they need a ride to a shelter or are in need of cold-weather gear.
Year-round shelters will expand capacity while some churches and community centers will offer additional overnight beds.
Living Hope Church’s chapel has been open since Tuesday, hosting roughly 90 homeless people per night. Pastor Brian Norris said the church plans to continue providing overnight shelter between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. nightly as long as it’s freezing outside and the weather is poor.
On Friday, the church was in the unusual position of preparing both for the night’s severe winter weather shelter in the chapel as well as a prom for people with developmental disabilities in the main building.
“It’s going to be a beautiful night, for those with special needs and those without shelter,” Norris said.
Living Hope at 2533 N.E. Andresen Road is the largest severe weather shelter and can host about 130 people. People can show up to the chapel and do not have to call the Housing Hotline in advance.
Besides Living Hope, the Washougal Community Center will be open Saturday night through Wednesday morning, beginning at 6 p.m. each night until 7 a.m. the following day. After that, Refuel Washougal and the city will reevaluate whether to remain open, said Robert Barber, chair of Refuel Washougal.
“We’re trying to be available for the most severe weather and make sure we have the volunteers necessary to safely man the shelter,” he said.
About eight people stayed at the shelter when it was open earlier this week. Barber imagines more people will show up as the temperature drops.
Dinner, breakfast and snacks will be served at the center, located at 1681 C St. Those in need of shelter tonight can stop by Washougal City Hall for a transit pass to get to a shelter in Vancouver.
Opening the Washougal shelter prompts The Salvation Army in Washougal to open earlier as a warming center. The facility at 1612 I St. will be open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Barber said the partnership with The Salvation Army “give as much as coverage as possible in cold weather.”
“It’s been wonderful to have such a great core of volunteers who make this happen,” Barber said.
The Vancouver Navigation Center at 2018 Grand Blvd. will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The center features restrooms, showers, laundry, storage, phone-charging stations, as well as access to resources and services. Nearby Lord’s Gym is open as an overnight shelter through Monday morning; the church will reassess Monday whether to remain open. Hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Those seeking shelter should enter through the parking lot entrance at 2410 Grand Blvd.
More information about warming centers and overnight severe weather shelters can be found at http://211info.org/warmingcenters#clark.
