WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County has announced a location for its severe weather shelter as winter rapidly approaches.

County Housing Supervisor Chris D’Onofrio told the Bellingham City Council on Monday, Oct. 21, that Lutheran Community Services has agreed to partner with the county to host the shelter. Their church on North Forest Street would host up to 70 adults between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. for severe weather events.

D’Onofrio says the county hopes to expand the shelter’s availability from previous years.

“We’re looking at probably doing more nights than we did last year; last year I think we had 20 nights,” D’Onofrio said. “We are limited a bit by our funding, so we’re looking at hiring a bigger staff to keep a safe environment for a higher number of guests.”

He adds that the county will continue to offer 60 additional motel rooms for families with children, which are available via the Opportunity Council.

Whatcom County Health and Community Services says they didn’t receive any applications to host winter shelter space this year, which is why it’s opening later in the season. According to the department, their Housing Pool has 279 individuals and 291 families with children waiting for housing or shelter as of September.

The lease agreement for space will go before the Whatcom County Council at its meeting on Nov. 6.

An opening date for the severe weather shelter is targeted for mid-November.