2019-04-08 Cold Weather Shelter DebriefingCold Weather Shelter Debriefing
April 8, 2019
3:39 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, County Manager Erik
Martin; Centralia Police Chief Carl Nielsen, Laura Hasbrook, Centralia City Manager Rob Hill, Josh Gering,
Wayne Whiton, LC Sheriff Rob Snaza, LC Undersheriff Rethwill, LC Chief Brue Kimsey, Doug Carey, Steve
Walton, Tamara Hayes
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Tamara Hayes said the cold weather shelter seemed to be a success. She said moving it to the building
seemed to be a huge improvement.
Laura Hasbrook said the cold weather shelter was open 101 nights and totaled 2,376 bed nights. She
said it was open 41 days in a row, its longest stretch. Josh Gering said a typical year sees 1,900 bed
nights, so 2018-19 saw an increase of 400 bed nights.
Josh said there was a huge uptick in the number of females who stayed. Laura said there were fewer
kids.
Laura said most of the guests appeared to be locals. She said there were hundreds of bus passes
distributed.
Josh and Laura said most of the visitors had substance abuse and / or mental health issues.
Chief Nielsen said the only negative he heard was that some visitors hung out at the Fairway shopping
center during the day. He asked that guests be told not to loiter during off hours.
Laura said law enforcement’s help was amazing.
Sheriff Snaza said the Sheriff’s Office needs to be brought into the discussions much earlier on in the
future.
Sheriff Snaza asked if the local entities can be more proactive about helping the homeless population
staying at the shelters.
Laura said the Housing Resource Center visited the guests fairly regularly.
The group discussed bringing the services to the group.
Commissioner Fund said Cascade opened its drop-in center the previous week.
Undersheriff Rethwill and Sheriff Snaza suggested inviting the various resource groups to meet with the
homeless population at the shelter.
Erik Martin left at 4:02 p.m.
Wayne Whiton said the church’s insurance company was very responsive.
Tamara noted that volunteers cleaned the restrooms.
Laura said the group had more than 140 volunteers.
Meeting adjourned at 4:14 p.m.