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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 described the local weather relief center that has provided meals and emergency shelter during extreme conditions. Warren said a current city ordinance now restricts churches from housing guests overnight without approval from 51% of residents within a 500-foot radius, complicating volunteer sheltering efforts.
John Lamping of Harvest Table told the council the community lacks a warming center for the coming winter and asked the city to identify a facility volunteers could use. “All we’re asking is for you to take the first step, find a facility,” Lamping said, noting volunteers could provide meals, security and staffing under terms set by the city. He said the previous arrangements (including use of a hospital facility and Peace Lutheran) are no longer available and warned the council about cold-weather fatalities experienced last year.
Council members asked clarifying questions about past arrangements and fundraising. A council member said a past GoFundMe effort raised about $70,000 to support vouchers to a local motel; speakers said the American Inn is no longer available for that role. City leaders acknowledged the gap and thanked volunteers for their work, and staff and council signaled continued discussion and follow-up would occur after the public comments period.
The public comments closed with volunteers offering to continue fundraising and to meet with city staff to explore potential sites and operational agreements for short-term winter shelter.
The council did not take a formal vote on shelter policy during this meeting; public commenters asked the council to act quickly to identify a facility before the coldest months arrive.
