City staff has been coordinating with local and regional providers of homeless services on the issue of Emergency Cold Weather Shelter solutions. Due to the restrictions placed on congregate sheltering, the City has been looking for options to provide shelter during inclement weather events that will be safe for both shelter participants and volunteers while being able to maintain social distancing.
One option, which many communities throughout the state are utilizing, is the purchase and use of
pallet shelters. These shelters are relatively inexpensive, and include heat and electricity. They have the capacity to provide shelter for up to four individuals; though the City would not recommend more than two individuals in a shelter unless they are a family unit comprised of more than two individuals.
The pallet shelters that were recently purchased by the City with prior year CDBG capital restricted funds arrived and were installed on Friday, December 18. We would like to thank the Public Works Department for assisting in the installation (which only took 15 minutes!), Linda Reid, our Housing Specialist, for spearheading this effort, and the Unitarian Church for partnering with the City and offering space for the shelters.
The City is hoping to explore more funding opportunities that could expand the pallet shelters in our community.
