Mill Creek Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

The Snohomish County Cold Weather Shelter Workgroup has expanded capacity at all sites and with additional overflow capacity at the Sky Valley location in Monroe.

Any shelter that is at full capacity in Snohomish County has the option of transporting individuals to the Sky Valley location, which has expanded capacity to serve up to 50 individuals.

Cities such as Mill Creek have a need for access to cold weather shelter options, if they want to enforce limits on outdoor camping and other activities associated with homelessness. Areas near Mill Creek have historically experienced small encampments of one to three tents, according to the city's website.

Panhandling in public spaces has shown up in court rulings as constitutionally protected expressions of free speech under the First Amendment, the city of Mill Creek website states.

As such, providing temporary shelter contributes to the comfort of the homeless community, and the surrounding community of sheltered residents.

Locations and open and hours of cold weather shelters are here: https://www.snohd.org/471/Cold-Weather-Shelters.

For those who are experiencing homelessness and need help, call 2-1-1 for a referral to services.