Raleigh's newest emergency homeless shelters to open
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Two new emergency shelters will permanently open their doors to Raleigh's homeless population Wednesday night, Axios has learned.
Driving the news: The new locations, operated by St. John's MCC, will relieve strain on existing shelters that struggled to house the area's homeless population last winter.
Why it matters: The announcement comes as Wake County's homeless population has soared in recent years amid rising rent prices and increases in the cost of living.
Flashback: Last year, the Raleigh community was unable to find permanent space to shelter unhoused people on particularly cold nights, and a network of churches and shelters stepped up to temporarily fill the need.
Plus: The county's homeless response is also in a state of transition, as the government seeks a new organization to manage Wake Continuum of Care, which serves as the first line of response for homelessness.
Details: St. John's new men's shelter, located at 401 W. Cabarrus St., has a capacity of 100. But that number will increase to 147 on cold nights.
- The new women's shelter at 510 S. Harrington St. will house 30.
- The church already operates other "white flag" shelter sites to accept even more people on nights with temperatures below 35°F.
Between the lines: Shelters tend to see a much higher number of unhoused men than women, especially on "white flag" nights, St. John's MCC pastor Vance Haywood tells Axios.
What we're watching: Wednesday's forecast shows a low of 31°F, so the new shelters plan to open at max capacity.
- "St. John's MCC is humbled to be able to provide a safe and warm space for our unhoused neighbors to be every night," Haywood said.
- "And, it seems, not a moment too soon."