Shelter House finds building for temporary winter shelter

IOWA CITY - Shelter House plans to set up its new temporary winter shelter in an old location. More than 100 years old, in fact.

The organization will open in the old Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City historic building in downtown Iowa City, now owned by Allen Homes, and host no more than 35 beds.

Jesse Allen, owner of Allen Homes, said it was perfect timing for the Winter Emergency Shelter because any construction on the building is not ready to begin.

The temporary shelter, at 10 S. Gilbert, is meant to protect homeless from dangerously cold weather. With a target opening of Dec. 12, the shelter is planned to be open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. every day through spring.

Setting up and operating the shelter is estimated to cost Shelter House around $60,000, similar to the previous year, said Mark Sertterh, associate executive director. The cities of Coralville and Iowa City and the Community Foundation of Johnson County have contributed to the project.

Last year's shelter housed 176 different people, with an average of 32 per night, Sertterh said. He anticipates this year's numbers to be similar.

The temporary winter shelter will be 'low barrier” - those staying there do not have to meet certain requirements such as sobriety, as they do in the main building. This type of shelter is aimed at the chronically homeless who may sleep on the streets and be at risk for frost bite, hypothermia or death.

'It helps us hopefully begin to engage some of these people in services,” Sertterh said. 'It's also just the right thing to do …

. It provides every single person with a safe place to go during winter time.”

Allen said he plans to offer the old UUSIC building, left vacant after the church moved to Coralville earlier this year, rent free if the Shelter House agrees to pay for utilities. Sertterh said this is similar to the terms it had last year with Southgate Companies.

The location of the temporary shelter tends to move annually to wherever there may be an open commercial space. This year, Sertterh said, Shelter House and Allen got in contact through Iowa City staff members.

What is different this time around is the downtown location. The two previous ones have been situated closer to Shelter House itself, at 429 Southgate Ave.

But Sertterh said this location will be easily accessible for the homeless population as it is on bus routes.

Shelter House also plans to get a special temporary permit from the city to increase its capacity from 70 to 100 for the winter months. People will be able to sleep in its lobby throughout the winter.

This is all part of a larger effort by Shelter House, called Out of the Cold, to help with additional costs winter brings. Its fundraising campaign aimed at raising $45,000 is posted on the shelter's website.

Allen said there still is some work to be done on the property before the shelter can open, such as pouring concrete for a handicap-accessible entrance.

l Comments: (319) 339-3172; maddy.arnold@thegazette.com