Temporary emergency homeless shelter opens in New Haven

NEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) – The City of New Haven is opening a temporary emergency shelter on Friday to help those in need.

City officials hope it will help ease homelessness.

“The problem of unsheltered homelessness is an absolute crisis,” said Margaret Middleton, CEO, Columbus House.

The new shelter is located at 209 Terminal Ln., off Ella T Grasso Boulevard. It’s also near Columbus House, a long-time shelter and service provider in New Haven.

It’s not too far from a former tent encampment the city broke down back in the spring.

According to the city, the new emergency shelter will expand its ability to provide safe, temporary housing with beds for up to 50 individuals who have been experiencing homelessness in the Elm City.

“It’s 50 people that we are taking off our New Haven streets,” said Carmen Rodriguez, Alder.

Because the number of beds is limited, those who stay at the shelter will need a referral.

“People cannot just walk up and get a bed,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

The city’s current total of beds is now more than 300, but officials estimate 537 people in the greater New Haven region are experiencing homeless.

“We need these spaces and we need to do more,” Elicker said.

The site is owned by Columbus House, an organization that’s been assisting those without homes in New Haven for more than 40 years.

Another provider, Upon this Rock Ministries, will run the facility each night.

Starting Friday, the shelter opens from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven days a week.

It will run through the end of October.

That’s when the seasonal shelters and warming centers will re-open for the winter season.

Providers said the temporary shelter was not just designed to offer up a place to sleep, but also address longer-term needs as well.

The shelter aims to do more by offering those sleeping inside resources. They provide things like medical care, public assistance, and other services to help support their longer-term housing needs.

“It is my hope that this will be helpful to the individuals that come in through the doors that they will not only receive a bed but receive follow up and networking to help them,” said Evelyn Rodriguez, Alder “No human being should be without a place to be”

“We must commit to creating enough deeply affordable housing for everyone in this community to have a place to call home,” Middleton said.

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