PORT ANGELES — Serenity House closed its overnight homeless shelter in Port Angeles Tuesday morning, citing lack of funds and dilapidated conditions.
Serenity House’s Street Outreach Shelter at 508 E. Second St., generally had 14 to 18 occupants each night, said Kevin Harkins, Serenity House operations director.
“The program has been closed because of finances and the condition of the shelter,” said Harkins, who did not provide details about the shelter’s condition.
The shelter was for overnight only. It opened in the evening and closed in the morning every day.
Serenity House does not plan to reopen the shelter in the near future, nor to sell the property, Harkins said.
There is room in other Serenity House programs for those who had been staying at the Street Outreach Shelter, Harkins said.
The shelter was funded using the organization’s general operating funds, which are running low this year, he said.
Closing the shelter “is one of the decisions made to reduce the strain on our budget,” said Harkins, who would not elaborate more on Serenity House’s financial condition.
Those who stayed at the shelter Monday night said they were informed Tuesday morning that the shelter would not be reopening that night.
Daren Chapman, one of those who planned to stay there Tuesday night, said, “I have no idea [what I will do].”
Serenity House also operates several other shelters, including the 40-bed Single Adults Center at 2321 W. 18th St.
There are several shelter and housing options for women and families.
Women or families should apply to those programs at the Serenity House offices on West 18th Street.
Harkins said that if Serenity House’s financial conditions improve or there is financial support for the Street Outreach Shelter, the building may be repaired and the shelter reopened.
Serenity House of Clallam County is a 501(c)3 private nonprofit agency founded in 1982.
The organization provides short term and transitional housing to the homeless, child care, individualized case management, goal planning, resource referral and weekly life skills classes.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
