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Residents, volunteers urge Washington to secure winter shelter as volunteers offer to operate it
Summary
Local residents and volunteer groups told the City Council that 25–30 people are sleeping outdoors and urged the city to identify a heated building this winter for overflow sheltering; volunteers said they can provide staffing and fundraising but need a facility and council support.
Public comments at the Washington City Council meeting in October 2025 focused on the urgent need to provide winter shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
Resident Bill New, speaking with his daughter present, described everyday barriers for unhoused neighbors — lack of restrooms, showers, storage and reliable routes to work — and urged council members to “spend time getting to know people experiencing homelessness.”
Tim Warren, representing Unity in Community, estimated “25 to 30 people live outside in the open in the city of Washington” and…
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