Council for the Homeless coordinates countywide response

Council for the Homeless (CFTH) has issued a Severe Weather Alert for the homeless response system in Clark County for Friday (Jan. 12) through Tuesday (Jan. 16). Dates may change depending on the evolving weather situation.

“Our goal is to ensure each person without a home in our community is safe and inside,” shares Sunny Wonder, deputy director at Council for the Homeless.

The response plan for this winter storm includes CFTH coordinating partners and resources to meet the increased urgent need. Preparations include:

• Expanding overnight shelter capacity at existing shelters, including the overflow shelters that operate only during the winter months.
• Procuring and equipping eight outreach teams from multiple agencies with emergency supplies. Outreach workers will fan out countywide to provide emergency supplies and assist people in accessing shelter, including a limited number of motel vouchers for the most vulnerable individuals.
• Ensuring CFTH staffing levels to meet the increased demand.

“Each day, the homeless response system operates with limited resources to meet the needs of the community. During a winter storm, service providers leverage any and all resources to keep people safe,” states Wonder.

 How community members can help:

Community members can help by donating winter supplies to Council for the Homeless for this weather event as well as future needs this season. Most needed items are on the agency’s Amazon Wish List at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1ZD8W12QZ5ESH?ref_=wl_share.

To donate funds, please visit https://councilforthehomeless-bloom.kindful.com/

Community members are also invited to volunteer and/or provide food for community-based shelters. Please visit https://www.councilforthehomeless.org/winter-shelter-volunteering/ for information

Important information on shelter access:

Most shelters are accessed through the Council for the Homeless Housing Hotline, (360) 695-9677. Weekday hours are 9am-8pm. Weekend and holiday hours are 11am-5pm.

Walk-in shelters are available at:

• Living Hope Church will be opening its doors on 1/12-1/14 from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. for walk-ins. No referral is needed. Address: 2711 NE Andresen Rd. Vancouver, WA.

• Refuel Washougal will be opening its doors on 1/12 and 1/13 from 6 p.m.-7 a.m. for walk in’s. No referral is needed. Overnight warming shelter: Refuel Washougal
Address: 1681 C Street, Washougal, WA, 98671.

Council for the Homeless will monitor the situation and post updates on its Facebook and Instagram accounts throughout the weather event.

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, WA.