BELLINGHAM, WA. – (KGMI.com) New public showers could be available next month following the closure of the free shower program at the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center earlier this year.

The Bellingham City Council voted earlier this week to approve the new shower program, which would be located behind City Hall.

It now awaits approval from the Whatcom County Council.

The program is an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham, which will each split the cost.

The shower trailer would be open to the public starting in early-to-mid November.

It would continue to operate until the Way Station opens next year, which features many resources for people experiencing homelessness including showers.

After that, the shower trailer will likely be moved to a tiny home village for further use.

The decision comes after Arne Hanna announced that their free pandemic-era shower program for homeless people was ending last July, following a string of overdose incidents in their bathrooms.

The Whatcom County Council will vote to approve the program at their meeting this Tuesday.