Lorain allocates funds for homeless shelters during extreme weather

LORAIN — Two homeless shelters in Lorain will get a funding boost from the city. Lorain will fund additional staff needed to add 25 beds split between Neighborhood Alliance's Haven Center and Catholic Charities St. Elizabeth Center during "extreme weather events." The city's Board of Control unanimously approved the grant, up to $20,000 from Lorain's Community Development Block Grant fund, during its meeting Tuesday. When activated, the program will have 15 additional beds at the Haven Center, which serves men, women and families; and 10 beds at St. Elizabeth Center, which serves only men. Cassandra Marr, continuum of care coordinator for United Way of Greater Lorain County, said the additional beds will be added when weather conditions make it unsafe for individuals to shelter outside — such as when it drops below freezing. In an email, Marr said each workday morning when weather forecasts predict temperatures at or below freezing or other dangerous weather conditions, there will be a discussion between the shelters, Coordinated Entry and United Way as to whether the additional beds are needed. The group's goal, she said, is to make that determination by about 11 a.m. to allow outreach workers to reach individuals staying outdoors. If dangerous weather conditions are expected over a weekend, the determination will be made on the Friday before, she said. Local churches, health organizations, municipalities and 211 is notified if the extreme weather beds are activated. Neighborhood Alliance Executive Director Alicia Foss said Haven Center must add extra staff when it adds additional beds due to how the shelter is built. "This year is a little bit unique because we do have the new facility available, so some of the beds will be in the new facility and some will be in the old, depending on the type of family structure," Foss said of when the extreme weather program is activated. "... We actually have extra space over what we would normally have." Haven Center opened a new addition to its property earlier this year, allowing its families to stay in noncongregate rooms. "We have a unique ability to be flexible with the makeup of individuals staying in the shelter to make sure we get women, families and men covered so that nobody is having to stay outside," she said. Those in need of shelter during extreme weather events can call Coordinated Entry as usual at (440) 242-0455, or if it is after 5 p.m., they may call or go directly to Haven Center or St. Elizabeth Center. Haven Center is at 1536 E. 30th St., Lorain. The phone number is (440) 233-8768. St. Elizabeth Center is at 2726 Caroline Ave., Lorain. Phone number is (440) 242-0056. Haven Center is hiring seasonal, part-time employees to staff its shelter as the weather requires. For more information, reach out to the shelter. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.