Winter’s cold weather has pushed Shelter House at or near capacity each night, but the same can’t be said for the Salvation Army’s Cumberland Street homeless residence.
Major Mervyn Halvorsen, the executive director at the Salvation Army shelter, said while Shelter House officials have been forced to lay out mattresses most nights to accommodate the city’s homeless, often his facility has two or three beds empty per night.
The men’s only facility has about 17 beds available, plus room for up to 45 mattresses should the demand call for it.
“One would think with this increase in cold weather that has hit us for the last couple of days that we would be full to overflowing, but no, our bed count for the dorm has only been 14 or 15 for the past half a week,” Halvorsen said.
“We’re not full. We’re closer to the highway so if there was anybody traveling we have that closer location than the shelter house. I’m not sure why they have reached capacity and we have not.”
Part of the reason could be social issues that Halvorsen’s centre isn’t prepared to deal with at present time.
Unlike Shelter House, he said, the Salvation Army won’t accept anyone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Recognizing there is a growing need throughout the community, Halvorsen said the charitable organization is also looking to set up a new building for women and children to stay.
He added they are reminding people constantly that there is a warm place for people to stay where they can get a hot meal.
“You don’t have to hide in the alleyways. There’s always a place,” he said.
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