Serenity House of Clallam County has announced an application for expansion of its Port Angeles shelter.

To be sponsored by Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services and the City of Port Angeles, the application is for CARES Act funding that will allow for an enlargement of the existing night-by-night shelter at 2321 W. 18th St., Port Angeles.

Designs are still underway, but the expansion will be from 40 feet-by-40 feet to 40 feet-by-50 feet, sit at the rear of the shelter, and not be visible to the street. A single-story expansion would increase bed capacity to 98 individuals during social distancing and 148 thereafter.

Serenity House officials say the organization is considering adding a second floor to the addition depending on funding. The site averages 60-70 people per day and anticipates an increase in demand as the weather turns.

Since April, Serenity House staff have made several adjustments to serve clients. The shelter was previously open from 7 p.m.-8 a.m. daily serving one meal per day. The center transitioned to 24-7 services offering three meals per day. Over time, shelter increased staff to three people per shift and hired a nightly security patrol for the shelter and neighboring properties from 9 p.m.-5 a.m.

The shelter also now provides face masks, exterior hand-washing stations, regular temperature monitoring and COVID-19 testing as required.

The expansion proposal is open to public comment through Friday, Oct. 16, 2020.

Serenity House officials plan to respond to comments at a public open house event set for 3:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.21, at the shelter; email comments to serenity@serenityhouseclallam.org.

For more information, see serenityhouseclallam.org and facebook.com/SerenityHouseClallam.