Colder temps coming. Here’s where to keep warm in Tri-Cities

With colder temperatures on the way, Kennewick, Richland and Pasco, along with other towns in Benton and Franklin counties, are getting ready to meet a growing need for warm places to stay.

This is the fourth year that warming centers and shelters have been available through a partnership with the Benton-Franklin Health District, Ben Franklin Transit and 211.

Centers are daytime spaces, open during normal business hours, while shelters offer overnight stays and other services.

There’s no minimum temperature at which the warming centers open. The shelters are independently operated and may have their own criteria. A list of participating shelters this winter is not yet available.

People seeking help can also contact 211, a free and confidential community service line 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.

Organizations can apply to become warming shelters. The building departments and fire departments in the region are the agencies that determine if the proper fire and life safety requirements are met to operate. Contact Ethan Bishop, deputy fire marshal in Kennewick at 509-585-4426, or Troy Hendren, building office/fire marshal in Pasco at 509-528-4142.

Temporary warming center locations

Temporary warming centers are not overnight shelters and are open during regular business hours. Hours are subject to change due to holidays, so people are encouraged to call ahead.

Kennewick

• Mid-Columbia Libraries - 405 S. Dayton St., Kennewick, 509-586-31561620 S. Union St., Kennewick, 509-783-7878
• Columbia Center Mall - 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, 509-783-2108

Pasco

• Tri-City Union Gospel MissionMen’s Shelter - 221 S. 4th St., Pasco, 509-547-2112Women’s Shelter - 110. N. 2nd Ave., Pasco, 509-547-2112
• Mid-Columbia Libraries1320 W. Hopkins St., Pasco, 509-545-10197525 Wrigley Dr., Pasco, 509-546-8055
• First Avenue Center - 505 N. 1st Ave., Pasco, 509-545-3459

Richland and 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., West 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 810 Horne Dr., Benton City, 509-588-6471 225 E. Weston St., Kahlotus, 509-282-3493 118 N. Columbia Ave., Connell, 509-234-4971 50 N. Canal Blvd., Mesa, 509-269-4201

Larissa Babiak

Tri-City Herald

Larissa Babiak is a former journalist for The Tri-City Herald.