Beginning this month, the Winter Hospitality Overflow and the Satellite Overflow Shelters are open seven nights per week for people in need of emergency shelter

• What: Council for the Homeless kicks off extended winter Housing Hotline hours and partners provide expanded shelter for the winter season
• Who: Members of the faith community, local agencies, Council for the Homeless
• When: Now until March 31, 2023
• To access shelter: Call the Council for the Homeless Housing Hotline, (360) 695-9677, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For those living outside, winter can be a particularly harsh experience. In Clark County, communities of faith collaborate with local agencies that address homelessness to create additional safe overnight shelters for people who are unhoused.

Beginning this month, the Winter Hospitality Overflow (WHO) and the Satellite Overflow Shelters (SOS) are open seven nights per week for people in need of emergency shelter.

The WHO site at St. Andrew Lutheran Church serves families, single women and couples. The WHO site at St. Paul Lutheran Church serves single men. The SOS shelters are on a regular rotation between Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and River City Church. They welcome families, couples and singles. St. Matthew Lutheran Church and ReFuel Washougal combine to offer shelter and food in Washougal. Living Hope Church opens a walk-in shelter during severe weather. 

“In addition to meeting the guests’ urgent needs, the sites work within the homeless response system to ensure the guests receive the breadth of housing and supportive services our community provides,” said CFTH Coordinated Outreach Director Clara Johnson. “Emergency shelter is lifesaving. The ultimate goal is for each person and family to have a permanent place to live.”

Call the CFTH Housing Hotline for shelter

The shelter spaces are accessed through the Council for the Homeless Housing Hotline at (360) 695-9677. People in need of shelter can call the Housing Hotline Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

“Having the Housing Hotline open until 8 p.m. seven nights per week gives people more time to call for shelter,” shares CFTH Housing Hotline Manager Madeline Klemz. “Some people are unable to call during regular business hours and they need the after 5 p.m. option.”

November 17, 2022 Webinar: Be a winter shelter volunteer

In order to provide a safe, warm, welcoming space for our unhoused neighbors, the WHO and SOS shelters need community support. Council for the Homeless is hosting a webinar Nov. 17 from 5:30 pm. to 6:30 pm. to discuss Clark County’s expanded winter shelter system. 

The webinar, “Winter Shelter in Clark County: WHO, SOS, and How to Help,” outlines the ways volunteers can contribute to this effort.

Registration is required for the free hour-long webinar. Visit https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pYaSaLqmRjCobn_pg7F_0A.

Council for the Homeless is a nonprofit organization that provides community leadership, compelling advocacy, and practical solutions to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County. http://www.councilforthehomeless.org

Information provided by Council for the Homeless.