Expanded winter shelter opens in Clark County

The Winter Hospitality Overflow (WHO) and the Satellite Overflow Shelters (SOS) are now open to provide additional nightly shelter space in Clark County seven nights per week for people in need of temporary housing. 

The shelter spaces are accessed through the Council for the Homeless Housing Hotline by calling 360-695-9677. The Housing Hotline is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

The nightly shelters are open November through March, providing additional spaces during the coldest nights of the year. 

The WHO and the SOS sites combine for a total of 73 spaces each night in Clark County.

The WHO site at St. Andrew Lutheran Church serves families, single women and couples. The WHO site at St. Paul Lutheran Church serves single men. The SOS shelters are on a regular rotation between Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church and River City Church. They welcome families, couples and individuals. 

Site volunteers work with staff from Outsiders Inn and from Share to operate the nightly shelters with COVID-19 precautions in place. Guests receive welcoming hospitality, meals, and access to basic needs and supplies. 

“In addition to meeting the guests’ urgent needs, the sites work within the homeless response system to ensure the guests receive the breadth of housing and supportive services our community provides,” Kate Budd, executive director of Council for the Homeless, stated in a news release.

The Council for the Homeless is a nonprofit organization that provides community leadership, advocacy and practical solutions to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County. For more information, visit councilforthehomeless.org.