BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The City of Bellingham will share the load of financing Whatcom County’s severe weather shelter.

The Bellingham City Council approved up to $150,000 in funds for the shelter at its meeting on Monday, Jan. 27. The money will go towards running the shelter and comes from the city’s Affordable Housing sales tax.

The move comes after the Whatcom County Council drafted a letter requesting that Bellingham shoulder some of the shelter’s costs in an effort to expand its services. The county has already offered up to $500,000 to operate the shelter, which includes costs for providing meals and laundry.

Whatcom County Health and Community Services noted at the meeting that county staff and volunteers are having a hard time keeping up with the high demand they’ve seen for beds.

The night of Jan. 28 is the last night the shelter will be available until the county announces its next opening date.