Warming Shelter Season Review
As temperatures rise and Spring begins, the Hood River Warming Shelter is closing for the winter 2023-2024 season. The extreme weather events in our community this past winter are stark reminders of the crucial role that the Warming Shelter, operated by Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), plays in the community.
This season, the Hood River Warming Shelter provided shelter to a total of 45 individuals from November 20, 2023, to March 29, 2024. The warming shelter can accommodate up to 26 individuals at a time, and during severe weather events reached full capacity. However, the staff were able to find alternative shelter for those in need through hotel vouchers during severe weather events. To manage the extreme cold, all the units are equipped with heaters, and thanks to the support from Hood River County Emergency Management, preparations were made in case of a power outage. In addition to emergency shelter, MCCAC was able to partner with local physicians and One Community Health to provide medical services on-site.
The City of Hood River continues to support MCCAC’s work here in the community and hopes to find a location for a year-round shelter. However, property and land prices continue to be a challenge in finding a suitable location. “A year-round shelter would allow us to provide the wraparound supportive services needed to help people stabilize and move into long-term, stable housing,” says Sarah Kellems, Development and Engagement Coordinator for MCCAC. City Manager Abigail Elder expressed her gratitude for having MCCAC as a community partner and the value they bring to the community. “We are lucky to have MCCAC’s expertise, compassion, and resources in Hood River. Their work to support our most vulnerable residents makes us a stronger and more resilient community.”
This season, MCCAC was able to help nine individuals transition from the Hood River Shelter into long-term housing. Finding long-term housing is a challenge due to the limited number of units available in the community. However, MCCAC is expanding their landlord engagement, and holding a series of landlord luncheons to share information on incentives and initiatives to work together for long-term housing. Anyone interested in learning more about opportunities for landlords to partner with MCCAC is encouraged to reach out to Sarah Kellems at skellems@mccac.com.
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