Shepherd’s House, which provides the county’s only warming center, is asking Kent city leaders to pay almost $10,000 more than expected for city residents who sought shelter there during the season’s coldest days and nights.
The city partnered with Shepherd’s House last winter, committing $8,000 to cover costs associated with housing city residents — or people originating from Kent — in the facility’s warming center. In a mutual agreement, the shelter charged the city $50 for each night-only stay and $250 for night and day shelter stays. Included in the charges are costs associated with bedding, staffing, utilities, meals and laundry.
From late December 2024 through February 2025, the warming center served 18 people from the city of Kent. Twelve eventually became guests at Shepherd’s House and began to benefit from wrap-around supportive services, so they fell off the city’s pay obligation. The non-profit organization provides warming center and shelter services regardless of financial assistance commitments from any community.
Shepherd’s House’s warming center was in service for 37 days, including two dates in December when it was open day and night. The warming center was open for 25 days in January, 19 of them only for the night and six dates for the night and day. It was open 10 days in February, five of them only for the night and five of them both night and day.
Add costs for 11 dates when the temps did not rise above 20 degrees until midday, and the total Shepherd’s House is seeking from Kent reaches to $17,650, well beyond the city’s initial contribution.
During City Council’s April 2 Committee of the Whole meeting, City Manager Dave Ruller reminded council members that the $8,000 was also intended to also cover Kent people who need to take advantage of the Shepherd’s House cooling center this coming summer. Community Development Director Bridget Susel noted that temperature thresholds for the cooling center have not yet been determined, nor have Kent’s costs for housing Shepherd’s House cooling center guests.
Council will consider augmenting its $8,000 contribution during its May sessions. Members made no commitment to covering the additional $9,650 balance.
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.