WAGAP Moves Focus from Warming Shelter to Temporary Family Housing
Stevenson, Wash., Dec. 2, 2024 — There will be no Stevenson emergency warming shelter this winter due to minimal use over the past few years. Skamania County Homeless Housing Task Force and Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) have adjusted the units near the Hegewald Center to serve instead as temporary housing for families.
“Our teams are disappointed not to offer the overnight warming shelter option this year,” said Jennifer Pauletto, WAGAP’s executive director. “But in the last two years, only ten people accessed the shelter for a total of ten nights. Together with the County Homeless Housing Task Force, we decided that we cannot continue to justify the expense of staffing a shelter when we have families needing the space throughout the year.”
The WAGAP housing team is working on an alternative. “The Guided Path in Bingen is collaborating with local high school student volunteers to construct two warming huts in an ongoing partnership,” said Bobby Casey, Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) coordinator. “We anticipate these innovative shelters will be ready for the community to use this winter,” Casey said. No firm date has yet been announced for their use
In the meantime, Pauletto said with cooler weather beginning to blanket the region, it is important to work with people before any extremely cold weather sets in. “We want them to have options for how to care for themselves and their families,” Pauletto said.
WAGAP encourages people to act now if they need help securing services. They can connect with one of WAGAP’s three housing offices in Skamania and Klickitat counties during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, to make arrangements for health and safety:
In Stevenson, call 509-427-8229 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or go to WAGAP’s Housing office at 683 SW Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson, WA 98648
In Bingen, call 509-493-2662 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or go to WAGAP’s main office at 115 West Steuben Street.
In Goldendale, call 509-773-6834 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or go to the WAGAP Housing office at 150 West Main Street.
Pauletto added another reason for low-income community members to reach out sooner rather than later. “There are many programs available through WAGAP in addition to housing services that assist individuals and families struggling financially,” she said.
“We have energy assistance, food bank locations and a mobile food bank, a family resource center, care coordination, and a thrift store voucher system. In Klickitat County, WAGAP has a domestic violence prevention program and a crime victims service center. In Skamania County, we can refer clients to the Skamania County Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault program. By meeting with our team, WAGAP can help a family look at the big picture and address multiple needs.”
Community members can assist by donating new warm blankets, pillows, coats, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves. These items are always welcome to support houseless individuals battling the elements. Donors should connect with their local WAGAP housing office to confirm current needs and make arrangements to drop by supplies at a nearby WAGAP office.
To learn more about WAGAP programs, go to https://www.wagap.org/ or call the main office at 509-493-2662 during regular business hours Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for Federal holidays when all WAGAP offices are closed.
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Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.
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