New 80-bed emergency homeless shelter opening in Bellingham

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A new 80-bed emergency homeless shelter is opening in Bellingham.

The shelter is opening in response to the area’s increasing homeless population as cold weather begins to move in.

Lighthouse Mission Ministries’ daytime drop-in center at 1013 Holly Street has been converted to now also serve as the overnight shelter for up to 80 men.

Accommodations will be made for those in need who have pets and there are no religious requirements.

"An easy-access shelter is Bellingham's most pressing need when it comes to our most vulnerable populations," Hans Erchinger-Davis, executive director of Lighthouse Mission Ministries, said in a release. "This will be the first step for many people who are chronically homeless. The goal is to get them into the Mission's continuum of care and out of homelessness."

A 40-bed emergency chapel run by Lighthouse Mission Ministries, which once served both men and women, will now serve just women. Overall, there are now 120 Lighthouse Mission emergency shelter beds.

Cox Media Group