Shepherd’s House asks Kent to help with warming center costs that were higher than expected

Shepherd’s House, which provides the county’s only warming center, is asking Kent city leaders to pay almost $10,000 more than expected for city residents who sought shelter there during the season’s coldest days and nights.

The city partnered with Shepherd’s House last winter, committing $8,000 to cover costs associated with housing city residents — or people originating from Kent — in the facility’s warming center. In a mutual agreement, the shelter charged the city $50 for each night-only stay and $250 for night and day shelter stays. Included in the charges are costs associated with bedding, staffing, utilities, meals and laundry.