Shelters At Capacity But Won't Turn Anyone Away
DETROIT (WWJ) You may think it's cold this weekend, but it's been very difficult for those who are homeless in Metro Detroit.
Area shelters like the Detroit Rescue Mission are full with temperatures in the single digits all weekend.
Rescue Mission President Chad Audi says they are overcrowded.
"We are overcrowded, we are exceeding our capacity. We are putting out chairs for people to sit on so they will avoid being out in this cold weather."
The Detroit Rescue Mission won't turn anyone away when it's this cold, using chairs for people instead of beds. Audi says they do go out and look for homeless people to bring them in from the cold. Unfortunately, he says the numbers are growing with about 20,000 homeless in Detroit now.
"Usually the homeless come in, but then we have a couple of vans and we collaborate with 'Helping Hands' who go out into the street and can bring homeless into the shelter, I encourage anyone who sees homeless to call our numbers so we can get a van out to pick them up."
Audi stressed, "We don't turn anyone away, we , you know, on those days we just put chairs instead of having people stay on mattresses, we have to put chairs in addition to the mattresses that we have."
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries has three locations: Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park, you can call (313) 831-1382, or click on here for more information.
