Aurora Homeless Shelter Nearing Capacity
AURORA, Ill. (CBS) -- A west suburban homeless shelter is bursting at the seams, and the director believes it's because of schools beginning and utilities ending.
As WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports, director Ryan Dowd says Hesed House in Aurora was designed for 140 people, but is currently housing 215 people – down a little from its all time record of 220 last week.
"We think what happens is if you become homeless in June and you're a single mother, and you've got a brother in Brookfield, you've got somebody else living out in Iowa, for the summer, you can couch-surf outside of a school district and that's OK," Dowd said, "but then when the school district rolls around, you've got to get your kids back into school, and if Aurora is home, you've got to come back to Aurora even if you have another place to stay."
Homeless shelter traffic also increases in September because utilities want to finish their shut-offs for non-payment before cold weather hits, Dowd said.
Dowd says unless the tide of homeless patrons continues, the day will be soon when the next family at the door will have to be told there is no room at the homeless shelter.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports
