Warming Shelters Open Across Pierce County Amid Freezing Temps

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — As meteorologists predict sub-freezing overnight temperatures and frigid days for most of the week ahead, many Pierce County cities have opted to open cold weather shelters to help local residents escape the freeze.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures Wednesday morning will drop to at least the low 20s, and the afternoon is unlikely to break out of the 30s. Freezing overnight temperatures are forecast to continue through Friday.

As the cold gripped Puget Sound, several cities have announced warming shelter options. The Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness also confirms that several local shelters have expanded capacity for the inclement weather and even more shelters are likely to be announced soon:

• Gig Harbor: Chapel Hill Church, 7700 Skansie Ave, Gig Harbor, open 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Enter at door "D", following signs.
• Orting - veterans: The Roosevelt Barracks Crisis Residential Center at 1301 Orting Kapowsin Hwy E, Orting serves honorably discharged veterans and is open from 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily. Veterans can request entry by emailing delena.josephsen@dva.wa.gov or melissa.frink@dva.wa.gov.
• Puyallup - adults experiencing homelessness: The New Hope Resource center at 414 Spring St, Puyallup is a homeless shelter offering a place to stay. It is open from 7 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call 253-845-0174 for availability.
• Tacoma - young adults: Adults aged 18-25 are welcome at the Beacon Center Young Adult Shelter at 415 S 13th St, Tacoma. The overnight shelter is open from 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m on weekdays.
• Tacoma - single men and women: The Tacoma Rescue Mission Men and Women's Shelter at 425 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma offers three meals a day to single men and single women. The access point is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The night shelter runs from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• Tacoma - single men and women: The Nativity House Shelter at 702 S 14th St, Tacoma also serves single men and single women, and serves up three daily meals as well. The day shelter is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Beyond traditional shelters, the Pierce County Library system's 18 libraries will still be operating their regular hours should offer another place to warm up during the day for anyone without adequate access to heat.

Find more homeless services and shelter options from Pierce County.

Patch editor Lucas Combos contributed to this report.