Amy Hunter
Beds at the House of Charity in Spokane.
As temperatures in Spokane dropped as low as 8 degrees early Monday morning, with a windchill as cold as minus 8 degrees, the city of Spokane has asked the two shelters that form its 24/7 shelter system not to turn anyone away overnight.
The frigid temperatures are expected to stick around all week with tonight's low expected to be 7 degrees and Tuesday's forecast showing a high of 28 and a low of 8, according to the National Weather Service.
House of Charity will not be turning anyone away and will be open 24 hours a day for anyone without children, aside from the few short hours they need for cleaning, says Tija Danzig, the city's homeless services program manager.
Open Doors Family Shelter also will be open 24 hours, and though they've been nearly full at night, they've still got some space if more families need shelter, says Joe Ader, Open Doors' director.
"We've been running right at or over our 50-a-night mark, which is our contracted amount," Ader says. "For the night shelter, depending on how many kids there are, we can expand up to just a little over 60."
The city has come to an agreement with the family shelter to open more sleeping space in its day center if needed, Danzig says.
Other resources for people without a place to stay, as compiled for the city's pocket service guide:
City of Spokane pocket resource guide
