Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council weighs alternatives after Poulsbo shelter use drops and volunteers decline
Summary
Staff reported falling usage and volunteer shortages at the Gateway Church severe-weather shelter; council discussed promoting a county taxi-to-shelter service, extending Recovery Resource Center hours on cold nights, and pursuing regional permanent shelter planning.
Kim Hendrickson presented data showing fewer shelter stays in recent seasons and identified volunteer and safety challenges at the local Gateway Church shelter, which led the church and city to decline operating the shelter this season. “The shelter's actually being used less, not more,” Hendrickson reported, and noted incidents last year raised safety concerns for volunteers and staff.
Council discussed three options: widely publicize the county-funded taxi service that provides free rides to county shelters; fund the Recovery Resource Center to offer a short warm-space window during activations; or pursue a longer-term regional shelter solution in partnership with Kitsap County and nearby cities. Several councilmembers favored promoting the free taxi service as an immediate, low-cost option while exploring longer-term housing and shelter strategies.
