The cold weather shelter will open tonight (Monday) at 7 p.m. at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition will provide rapid COVID-19 tests for those who are seeking shelter. If someone tests positive, they will be sent to the Salvation Army.
Executive Director of the Homeless Coalition Wendy Winters said, "We are expecting dangerously cold temperatures tonight and it will be wet. Please don't be afraid to come in. We will also offer rapid COVID-19 testing. Anyone in need of shelter can text "winter shelter" to 97779 to subscribe to updates on when the warming shelter will open."
The city has more than 600 people facing homelessness on the streets on any given night, and the warming shelter averages about 90 people per night during the winter months. This year, COVID-19 response funding allowed the Homeless Coalition to buy a barrier that will separate everyone while sleeping. Additionally, if someone is at higher risk for COVID-19, they will be housed in a non- congregate hotel shelter, reducing the congregate shelter by at least a third. Since March, Executive Director Wendy Winters says her team has held weekly COVID-19 response planning meetings with local partners. “Our main goal is to get through this winter without a significant COVID or flu outbreak in the homeless population. Of course, the best way to prevent spreading the virus is to house people. We hope to strategically use COVID response dollars to end homelessness for at least a few subpopulations,”said Winters. They are looking for compassionate property owners willing to rent to low-income, homeless individuals with incentives and client support services that are available.
No one in need of shelter will be turned away. If an organization is interested in serving as an overflow site, or landlords are interested in partnering with the coalition, they should make contact through homelesscoalition.org The Chattanooga Community Kitchen is also accepting donations ahead of the shelter's opening. Coats, hand warmers, socks, underwear, gloves and hats can be dropped off Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 727 E. 11th St.