Houseless Collaborative preps cooling resources
From Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative:
By Tammy Kaufman
Mid-Columbia River Gorge June 27, 2024 — In anticipation of this summer’s dangerously hot temperatures and wildfire smoke events, Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative partners will have free cooling kits available for houseless residents. They have also compiled lists of local sites where people may seek safety when life-threatening conditions set in.
The Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), which operates in Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties in Oregon, and Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), which operates in Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington, lead the Collaborative’s efforts for cooling resources.
Cooling bundles may vary slightly at the various locations depending on available supplies, but they will generally contain cooling cloths, handheld fans, reusable water bottles, water and Gatorade, sunscreen, chapstick, snacks, and information about heat emergencies and how to avoid them.
Through ongoing outreach, these lightweight kits allow coordinators to easily distribute and quickly support houseless community members throughout the region without requiring people to travel to specific locations for services.
Kits are also available at various fixed locations. In Oregon, the free kits are available at MCCAC’s office at 606 State Street Suite 1B in Hood River, the Gloria Navigation Center at 2505 W 7th Street in The Dalles, and through the Office of Emergency Management in Sherman County that is available by phone at 541-565-3100. The public is asked to leave a message, and an EOM team member will return the call to arrange access to cooling kits.
In Washington, free kits are available at all WAGAP offices in Stevenson, Bingen, and Goldendale. They are also available at Second Hand Rose WAGAP’s community thrift store in Bingen. They can be picked up during office hours. Additionally, the teams are working now tocoordinate with other community organizations, such as libraries, churches, and fire departments, to make kits available at even more sites.
The shift from specific cooling shelters to offering cooling kits began last year following feedback from the houseless community that individuals did not have the capacity to travel long distances to receive services.
“In 2022, regional cooling shelters reported minimal use,” said Jennifer Pauletto, WAGAP’s incoming executive director. “WAGAP had just two clients check in at our Stevenson cooling shelter, a facility that costs tens of thousands of dollars to operate over the season.” The agency has since turned the space into transitional family housing units, which address a chronic need, serving many more houseless clients in this new capacity.
For those experiencing houselessness, there will also be several locations in the region where they can physically escape the heat during an organization’s regular hours of operation.
In Oregon, St. Vincent de Paul of the Dalles at 315 W 3rd Street will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The Hood River Library at 502 E State Street will be available Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In Sherman County, a person in need can contact The Office of Emergency Management at 541-565-3100 for information on how to seek shelter.
Additionally, in Oregon, if extreme conditions warrant opening, MCCAC will post an announcement on its website when it opens the temporary cooling and air quality shelter at the Gloria Navigation Center at 2505 W. 7th Street in The Dalles. When open, it will operate from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
In Washington, Father’s House Fellowship at 207 S Klickitat Street in Goldendale will be open Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will keep supplies on hand. The Goldendale Community Library will also have supplies on hand at 131 W. Burgen Street and will be available Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday/Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The White Salmon Valley Community Library at 77 Wauna Avenue will be available Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Stevenson Community Library at 120 NW Vancouver Avenue will be available Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and have cooling supplies on hand.
Additionally, in Washington, when houseless persons are at risk from extreme temperatures or hazardous air quality conditions, the WAGAP Housing Teams will work on a case-by-case basis to assist them in getting into a healthier environment. Persons at risk should call WAGAP for assistance at 509-493-2662 during regular business hours Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Community members are encouraged to be proactive if the weather looks like it will pose a threat over the weekends and are asked to contact WAGAP by the end of business on Thursday to arrange support if needed. Otherwise, look to the area partners listed above toseek relief. WAGAP will also post banner updates at https://www.wagap.org to alert if there are specific instructions.
All area residents are encouraged to prepare in advance to take precautions when temperatures rise, and the region is affected by poor air quality. Learning the signs of heat-related illness, like heat stroke or heat exhaustion, is an important first step. Examples can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html.
Basic steps to protect yourself or others from heat illness include staying cool, keeping well- hydrated, and staying out of the sun. For air quality issues, avoid smoke whenever possible, find a ventilated shelter, and consider wearing an N-95 mask if exposed. Helping others, especially vulnerable people and elderly adults, to avoid these conditions and ensure they have the necessary resources is also important to keeping the community safe and healthy.
If someone is in an emergent situation, call 911 immediately to get professional assistance.
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The Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative includes over 40 organizations from across Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Skamania, and Klickitat Counties. The Collaborative is dedicated to improving coordinated efforts to prevent and end houselessness in the Mid-Columbia region. Learn more at www.midcolumbiahouselesscollaborative.org.
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