Pepper Fisher

PORT ANGELES – The public has until Friday to weigh in with comments on the proposed expansion of the Serenity House night-by-night shelter in Port Angeles before a public hearing scheduled for December 16.

The need for shelter beds is growing with the effects of Covid-19 on the economy, and also goes up every year as the weather gets colder. The County’s social distancing shelter, set up this year near the airport, hosts 50-60 guests per night but was never intended to be a permanent facility. The expansion proposal will prevent a shortage of beds by increasing the capacity of Serenity House’s existing facility on W. 18th Street to serve up to 188 overnight guests.

Executive Director Sharon Maggard says the community seems to be supportive of the expansion.

“Well, for the most part, the only negative comment we’ve gotten was from our immediate neighbors, and we were able to extend our security patrol over to their area and gave them a direct line to us to help them resolve any issues that they might be having.”

Funding for the expansion, about $400,000, comes from the federal CARES ACT program and was contributed by both the City of Port Angeles and the Clallam County Health Department. Maggard is hoping to expand the shelter outwards by about 2000 square feet, but the final design will depend on the Use Permit granted by the City in December.

The December 16 public hearing will begin at 2:30. Anyone interested in sharing their testimony may do so one day before the hearing and should reach out to the City by contacting Emma Bolin at (360) 417-4752.

More information can be found at the City of Port Angeles website.

Photo: Location of planned expansion at Serenity House.