Iowa City nonprofit opens its winter emergency shelter as temperatures dip down

IOWA CITY — An Iowa City nonprofit hit a record last week as it opened its winter emergency shelter and filled the 40 available beds the first night — something that hasn’t happened in previous years.

It usually takes some time before people realize they are open but the opening night, Dec. 4, was at capacity, Christine Hayes, director of development and communications for Shelter House, said.

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Hayes said they are “hopeful” that it’s because they are providing the information to enough organizations and individuals but also are “fearful there is a greater need this year.”

The winter emergency shelter is open every night at 5 p.m. to allow people to start checking in and they ask that everyone gets there before 11 p.m., Hayes said. They can still stay if it’s after 11 p.m., as long as there is space. It’s open seven nights a week and closed during the day.

Shelter House opened the winter shelter in 2015 and it’s in a satellite location at 340 Southgate Ave. in Iowa City, just down the street from its emergency shelter. The winter emergency shelter provides 40 beds from December through March.

If all 40 beds are taken, people can go to the emergency shelter and stay in the lobby overflow area, which is designated for 30 people. Shelter House has a conditional use permit to operate the overflow. The emergency shelter has 70 beds and is open 24/7.

Both emergency shelters combined have a total of 140 beds, Hayes said.

Last year, 222 people stayed in the winter shelter, totaling 3,997 nights of shelter and 669 stayed in the emergency shelter, totaling 24,942 nights of shelter, Hayes said.

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Many who use the winter emergency shelter are folks who typically sleep outside and just come in when the weather changes and the temperatures drop. Staying outside in the colder temperatures can be dangerous, some experience hypothermia and frostbite — both can be permanently damaging and can result in death.

Those staying in the winter emergency shelter can also have access to a case manager or specialist who can help with support programs and referrals to services and possibly lead to permanent housing for some, Hayes said.

The winter shelter is for adults 18-years-old and up. If there are children, they can go into the overflow lobby at the emergency shelter. The winter shelter is in an open area with temporary partitions for men and women. Showers, bathrooms and a kitchenette area are accessible to those staying overnight.

Hayes said the emergency shelter services rely on 65 percent of its budget to come from fundraising, so they are always in need of monetary donations, which can be made online through Shelter House website or by mail.

Anyone interested can donate single serve meals that can be heated in a microwave and personal hygiene items, including laundry detergent.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com