BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A new facility in Bellingham will offer emergency shelter for women and children for years to come.

The Whatcom County Council unanimously approved $1 million in funding on Sept. 10 for the shelter that will be run by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in Bellingham. The City of Bellingham will fund the rest of the $2.2 million facility through a repayable loan.

The 20-unit facility will be located at 315 Lakeway Dr. and will house up to 30 women and accompanied children experiencing homelessness.

YWCA Bellingham says the shelter will offer crucial services to transition people into permanent housing, including support for pregnant women before and after childbirth.

According to Whatcom County health data, there were 1,059 people experiencing homelessness in the county in 2023—including 161 children.

The new shelter is set to open in early 2025 and will continue to offer its services for 20 years.