Cleveland to open temporary homeless shelter as freezing temps loom

• "It's the most dangerous time of year," said Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless executive director Chris Knestrick at a Friday press conference.

The intrigue: Despite a brutally cold January, the church at 11115 Kinsman Road will be the first seasonal shelter in Cleveland this year.

• There were four at this time last year, according to NEOCH — including Franklin Circle Christian Church in Ohio City, which is now up for sale.

What they're saying: "Every year, winter comes to Cleveland," Knestrick said. "Every year, we beg for seasonal shelter options. And every year that work becomes more difficult."

State of play: The church received a zoning variance earlier this week which allows it to operate as a seasonal shelter.

• City Councilwoman Deborah Gray, who represents the area, had wanted the church to first host a community meeting to inform residents of the proposed use.

Yes, but: The forecast accelerated the schedule.

Between the lines: So did NEOCH, which began relocating unhoused individuals to hotels Friday in preparation for the weekend cold and published a press release calling on the city and county to "take immediate action."

• Shortly before NEOCH's 3:30pm press conference, the county sent its own press release advising that the temporary shelter would open Sunday — with 35 first-come, first-serve beds operated by the nonprofit Metanoia Project.

The last word: "This is a dangerous weather situation and of course we want the shelter to open to ensure that anyone who needs it can get the help they need," Gray said in the release.