BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Bellingham’s severe weather shelter has closed for the season as spring approaches.

Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) released a recap of how many people were served and other statistics over the last couple of months.

Under the 32-degree threshold, the shelter on N. Forest Street was open for 27 nights, and at full capacity for 24 of those nights. WCHCS’ Marie Junek said that about 40 nights were budgeted for the 2024-2025 winter season, but there were many variable costs that could change how the shelter could serve the community.

In a single night, the shelter saw a record of 104 clients either stay overnight or visit the lobby. According to WCHCS, 315 people were served in all this winter.

Of the guests served, 85 received medical care on-site.

Advocates for the homeless pushed to raise the severe weather threshold to 40 degrees including windchill this winter, which was considered controversial at the county council.

Former WCHCS Director Erika Lautenbach was against the increase, stating that their model of care was not sustainable for the number of nights they would have been open.

A full report on the Severe Weather Shelter will be available likely in May according to the health dept. WCHCS also reiterated Lautenbach’s point that Whatcom needs another full-time shelter run by a non-government organization.