Potential Bad Weather Shelter Site a ‘Good Possibility’

On Tuesday, Housing Director Bill Huang told the Northwest Commission that he believed there was “a good possibility” that a current site being vetted by the City could serve as a bad weather shelter. 

“This past week, the operator of the bad weather shelter and the housing department and the owner of the property had a walkthrough and it was very positive all the way around,” Huang said. “We think that there is a possibility, I believe a good possibility, that we may be able to make an arrangement and the nonprofit operator will be able to enter a lease agreement with the property owner.”

No further information was provided on the location of the site.

The Northwest Commission approved the language of a letter on Tuesday urging the City Council to find a new location for a shelter. 

“Certainly, with all the property in the city either owned by the city or available to the city, staff should be able to find a location,” the letter reads.

The City has been without a bad weather shelter since the pandemic began. 

The City is currently handing out motel vouchers to unhoused residents.

So far this week, more than 60 people have been placed in motels.

On Tuesday, strong winds and cold weather slammed into the area lowering temperatures well below 40 degrees. 

“I would not want to sleep outside tonight,” said Commissioner Ryan Bell responding to the biting cold and increased wind.

Last summer the housing department put out a request for bids to host a new shelter that would be operated by the nonprofit Friends in Deed, but received no responses.”

“There are few property owners that are willing to host a bad weather shelter,” Huang said. “It is a very unique program and it doesn’t fit the needs for most property owners.”

According to Huang, there are specific requirements for a shelter, including a location close to public transportation and other services. 

The City has looked at sites that did not meet those requirements. 

Huang said the site they are currently looking at probably would need some capital improvements to be ready in time to host a shelter next winter. 

The City would also do some community outreach on the project. 

“We agree that the City needs to have a congregant bad weather shelter,” Huang said. “We also agree that the motel voucher program is important.”