Winter is here. Where to go in Tri-Cities to keep warm, how to help host warming centers
It’s just a matter of time before winter weather and low temperatures chill the Tri-Cities area.
The cities of Kennewick, Richland and Pasco, Benton and Franklin counties and the Benton-Franklin Health District opened temporary warming centers to provide refuge from the cold this winter. It’s the third year that the service has been available.
Centers are daytime spaces, open during normal business hours. Warming shelters offer overnight stays and other services.
Hours are subject to change due to holidays, so people are encouraged to call ahead.
People seeking help can also contact 211, a free and confidential community service that connects them to local resources, including temporary warming centers, utility assistance, food, housing and more. For the most current information, call 211 or visit wa211.org.
Temporary warming centers
Kennewick
- Mid-Columbia Libraries - 405 S. Dayton St., Kennewick, 509-586-3156
- Columbia Center Mall - 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, 509-783-2108
- Mid-Columbia Libraries - 1620 S. Union St., Kennewick, 509-783-7878
Pasco
- Tri-City Union Gospel Mission Men’s Shelter - 221 S. 4th Ave., Pasco, 509-547-2112
- Tri-City Union Gospel Mission Women’s Shelter - 110 N. 2nd Ave., Pasco, 509-547-2112
- Mid-Columbia Libraries - 1320 W. Hopkins St., Pasco, 509-545-1019
- Mid-Columbia Libraries - 7525 Wrigley Dr., Pasco, 509-546-8055
- First Avenue Center - 505 N. 1st Ave., Pasco, 509-545-3459
Richland & West Richland
- Richland Public Library - 955 Northgate Dr., Richland, 509-942-7454
- Richland Community Center - 500 Amon Park Dr., Richland, 509-942-7529
- Mid-Columbia Libraries - 3803 W. Van Giesen St., Richland, 509-967-3191
Prosser
- Becky’s Coffee Corner, 1120 Meade Ave., Prosser, 509-786-0747
- Renz Farmers Insurance Agency, 1108 Meade Ave., Prosser, 509-781-6300
- Mid-Columbia Libraries, 902 7th St., Prosser, 509-786-2533
Other locations
- Mid-Columbia Libraries (Benton City), 810 Horne Dr., Benton City, 509-588-6471
- Mid-Columbia Libraries (Kahlotus), 225 E. Weston St., Kahlotus, 509-282-3493
- Mid-Columbia Libraries (Connell), 118 N. Columbia Ave., Connell, 509-234-4971
- Mid-Columbia Libraries (Basin City), 50 N. Canal Blvd. A, Mesa, 509-269-4201
The health district is also helping local governments identify and approve overnight shelter locations.
Organizations interested in hosting warming centers can contact the health department’s communications office at bfhd.wa.gov. The approval process for hosting overnight shelters can be accomplished by contacting the city where the proposed shelter would be located. Shelters must meet state and local requirements. The building departments and fire departments in the region determine if the proper fire and life safety requirements have been met to operate.
