Local organizations helping homeless find shelter in cold temperatures

As overnight temperatures have dropped into the 20s and teens in recent days, the need for shelter for the homeless community of Jackson and West Tennessee has become that much more necessary.

Tennessee Homeless Solutions, United Way of West Tennessee and Area Relief Ministries are doing their part to help those who need help especially in these times when getting somewhere warm could mean the difference between life and death.

“We’re taking all we can in, usually somewhere between 15 and 20 per night, and fortunately haven’t had to turn any away yet,” said Mike Roby, the director of Area Relief Ministries (ARM). “And not everyone we serve wants to come to Room in the Inn, so if they don’t we give them what we can — whether that’s a bigger coat or a scarf or blanket or something bigger like a sleeping bag or tent.

“Because we saw it happen last year, and it happens once every two or three years here — the temperature will be dropping, and one of our people will be OK when they fall asleep in 40 degrees or whatever. But that temperature drops down into the 20s, and that person doesn’t wake up and they freeze to death. It’s an avoidable situation, but sometimes it’s difficult for some to avoid it for one reason or another.”

Finding shelter

A man froze to death in Centennial Park in Downtown Jackson in December of 2020, prompting THS, United Way and the City of Jackson to partner to establish a warming center for homeless men of Jackson in the basement of the Carl Perkins Civic Center.

Mayor Scott Conger shut down events at the Civic Center due to surging COVID-19 positive cases, presenting a window of a couple of months the building would be available to house single homeless men and a few of their dogs while offering them a hot shower and two meals donated by various members of the community.

The Civic Center isn’t available to be used as a warming center this year, but fortunately, THS has gotten increased funding to expand the main service it had available before the COVID-19 pandemic for those needing shelter.

“We’re able to put those in need of shelter assistance up temporarily in a local hotel,” said Amy McDonald, director of THS. “And I haven’t figured out if there’s a reason why yet, but a higher number of people have needed assistance in recent days, and with the weather the way it has been, we’ve worked hard to find them a place to stay as soon as possible.”

McDonald did say before THS can access the funds for hotel fees, those in need are required to confirm they don’t have any other way to find shelter.

Matthew Marshall, director of United Way of West Tennessee, said it’s not an issue isolated to Madison County.

“I don’t know what the totals are with Homeless Solutions, but I can tell you we’ve had a few reach out to us from outside Madison County and I’ve personally worked with two cases to help them find shelter,” Marshall said. “Housing issues that affect Madison County don’t stop at the county line. They’re present in other counties too.

“And of course, if it’s cold in Madison County, it’s usually cold across the region too.”

McDonald did say that while the warming center was something that helped in a great time of distress last year, but assisting people this way gives THS the ability to help more people in a safer manner.

“With the warming center, that was only available to single men,” McDonald said. “But with the hotel rooms that are available, we’re able to help others too — couples, families, women and children who can’t access other places available to them.

“And if they’re staying in separate hotel rooms at different locations, keeping them safe regarding the pandemic and other things like that is simpler too.”

Housing situation

It’s the goal of THS to help get anyone needing assistance back to a situation where they can take care of themselves as soon as possible. Of the approximate 100 men that stayed in the warming center last year, many weren’t there for more than two weeks because THS had connected them with job opportunities and affordable housing.

But while there are plenty of job opportunities available in West Tennessee to connect people with, it’s the affordable housing part of the situation that is difficult to navigate right now.

“Having an active real estate market like Madison County and the surrounding area is experiencing right now is a good thing for different reasons,” Marshall said. “But it does have an effect on those of us trying to find affordable housing for those needing it.”

McDonald said there are some landlords in the area who are willing to work with people who need help to make sure they have a place to stay.

“Some are willing to come down on their rent because they know they’ll have someone willing and able to pay a certain amount for a longer period of time,” McDonald said. “But others see the advantage of raising their rental rates because the demand is there for that right now, and when that happens, that’s one less possible option for those we’re trying to help.”

Room in the Inn

ARM has continued to provide Room in the Inn throughout the pandemic.

Room in the Inn is a partnership in which groups — traditionally churches — have opened their facilities for the night for single men to stay for the night, get two meals and then return to where they normally stay after a night’s sleep and breakfast.

Roby said the number of churches who have made themselves available to help has decreased in the past 22 months since the pandemic began, but there are still a couple dozen who do help.

Something else that’s helped the process is First United Methodist Church in Downtown Jackson has made its facilities available every night that they’re needed, which is often since most other churches opt to use their facilities.

“So essentially, other churches still send a few people and provide dinner, but they just take it to First United Methodist,” Roby said. “And as long as they’re OK with having people in there, that works for us because there’s plenty of space and it’s close to where most of the men are anyway.”

How to help

Both McDonald and Roby said any and all help is needed and appreciated.

McDonald said there are different ways to help THS.

For anyone who needs help, their hotline number is 866-307-5469. Anyone can log onto their website at thstn.org. There’s a “Need Help?” button to get assistance.

“Answering calls and responding to requests is a great way for anyone who may want to volunteer their time,” McDonald said. “I know there have been times we’re getting over 2,300 calls per month, and that was with one person answering calls.”

For those interested in helping with Room in the Inn, Roby can be reached at 731-234-5642.

“They can call me and we’ll start the conversation, which includes an orientation session,” Roby said. “And it’s not limited to churches.

“We’ve had civic groups, neighborhood groups and in some cases, someone will call sometimes and just say, ‘Hey I’m retired and I’m looking for something to do that could help others. What can I do?’ and I’ll tell them Room in the Inn is a great way to do that.”

Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or at 731-425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at editorbrandon.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Local organizations helping homeless find shelter in cold temperatures