Bunk Beds Ordered to Increase Winter Shelter Capacity
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WHEELING - The winter shelter operated by The Life Hub in downtown Wheeling has been at or close to capacity each night since opening for the season in mid-December, and officials are looking to add some new bunk beds in order to maximize the available space for those seeking overnight shelter.
The winter shelter officially opened for the season on Dec. 15 at The Life Hub’s new location in the former First English Lutheran Church building on 16th Street. The facility provides a limited number of beds and a warm place to sleep for unhoused individuals during the winter months.
Melissa Adams, Wheeling Homeless Liaison and official with The Life Hub, said the facility offers space for 40 beds - noting that rules and regulations set forth by the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department and the Wheeling Fire Department require that there be a certain amount of space between each bed.
Adams said The Life Hub recently ordered about nine bunk beds that are expected to replace some single-unit beds in order to increase the capacity - making overnight accommodations possible for a few more people.
"We’ve been at full capacity since within a week and a half after opening," Adams said. "Every other night or two, we may see a slight decrease - depending on the weather. But our bed capacity has pretty much remained full."
When the sleeping area at the winter shelter is full for the night, there is an area downstairs in the former church building where individuals can still seek shelter from the elements.
"There is a commons area downstairs, but there’s no beds there," she said, noting that about 15 additional people can gather in that space to get warm.
Bedding for the shelter must not only be property spaced, but also constructed of a specific grade of material, Adams indicated. They must use medical mattresses and follow a number of other rules and regulations to create a safe environment for those seeking shelter.
"Obviously, when you get any large number of people together to sleep, it comes with challenges," Adams said. "But things are going very well."
The Life Hub’s winter shelter is open to homeless individuals from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
"Individuals staying here have had concerns about what to do," Adams said, noting that the city of Wheeling’s new camping ban on public property which went into effect at the beginning of the year has raised questions about where homeless people can go during the day. "I know some of the agencies have been outspoken about it - there are concerns among people from the local service organizations."
At the beginning of the year, the city placed two-week notices in certain areas where homeless encampments were to be removed. During last week’s city council meeting, City Manager Robert Herron said no citations had been issued for people found to be in violation of the new city ordinance.
Outspoken homeless advocates and Ward 3 Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum have called for the city to put enforcement of the camping ban on hold until a managed camp - which would be exempt from the new ordinance - could be established and operational.
Adams said that in the wake of the new ordinance, The Life Hub has not experienced a massive influx of people coming into the winter shelter above and beyond what is typically expected this time of year.
"We’ve not seen a change in demand," she said. "We anticipate that may change in the future. But there will also be some people who will not or cannot use the shelter. Some people have pets. Some may not get along with other individuals who are here, or there may be some situations where it’s just not feasible for some people to use the shelter."
Adams said the camping ban ordinance has created some challenges, but officials with The Life Hub continue to work to make the best of the situation.
"We want to move forward with a positive mindset and try to help people in any way we can," she said.
The Life Hub’s long-term goal is to construct a new, year-round low-barrier shelter for homeless individuals. The Life Hub leaders hope to offer the year-round shelter and wrap-around support services for individuals in order to help get each person on track toward breaking the cycle of homelessness and becoming housed.