In the past five years, two trends have converged: Clark County’s homeless population has increased significantly. And dangerous heat waves have become more frequent.
That means more people are suffering outside in the heat. To help them, cooling centers have popped up across the county to provide life-saving relief for those without access to air conditioning. Over the years, organizations have tweaked their responses to serve the community better.
In Clark County, faith-based organizations, libraries and community centers have stepped up to serve as cooling centers for residents. When a severe weather alert is issued, the nonprofit Council for the Homeless activates these centers to assist people experiencing homelessness.
“With each passing season, we’ve learned a little bit of what went right, what we need to improve on, how we can better serve people for the next time. It’s a live and learn mentality,” said Brian Norris, pastor at Living Hope Church.
How to Help
Council for the Homeless’ Housing Solutions Center is in need of hot weather items, including water bottles, tuna salad kits, fruit cups, shampoo, deodorant and sunscreen.
All items must be new and unopened. Items can be delivered in person from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or shipped to the center at 2306 N.E. Andresen Road, Suite A, 98661. The Amazon wish list can be found at www.councilforthehomeless.org/donating-supplies.
St. Paul Lutheran Church is seeking donations including water bottles, frozen treats, soda and sandwich bags. Goods can be dropped off at church.
More efforts
Prolonged hot weather in Clark County used to be a rarity.
However, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, extreme summer heat has increased across the United States in the last five years. The average annual temperature in Washington has increased by nearly 2 degrees since 1900.
Efforts to raise awareness about the availability of cooling centers have also increased. Recently, outreach has been organized through social services, shelters and community organizations.
“More organizations are working together to meet the need during extreme hot temperatures,” said Charlene Welch, spokeswoman for Council for the Homeless.
River City Church joined the severe cold-weather alert system several years ago. In 2023, the church decided to join the hot-weather alert system.
“We saw that a lot of cooling shelters would open, but not allow pets. So we decided to open up a pet-friendly cooling center because that’s what the need was,” Pastor Ryan Sidhom said.
St. Paul Lutheran Church opened up a cooling center in the church’s basement this summer. Thursday morning, the cooling center saw about 12 people seeking refuge from the heat.
“We wanted to do this because of the need but also as a way to have human contact and make connections to those in need,” Pastor Linda Marousek said.
This year, organizations such as the nonprofit Couve Collective, which is near one of Vancouver’s largest homeless encampments, have set up misting stations.
Council for the Homeless has also seen more community members donating supplies including water, Popsicles and coolers for outreach to distribute to the homeless population.
Due to the growing number of people served daily, Clark Count shelters now require more toiletries, cleaning supplies, food, and clothing.
Despite this, Living Hope Church and River City Church have noted that cooling shelters are used less than warming shelters.
The Columbian has previously reported on the challenges homeless people have accessing cooling centers, including transportation and not wanting to leave belongings behind.
Norris of Living Hope Church said they send outreach workers to encampments to invite people to the cooling center and drop off water and other supplies.
“Being a faith-based entity, we’re all about taking care of our neighbors — whether it be fire, air quality, hot weather, cold weather, an earthquake or COVID,” Norris said.
