COLUMBUS, Ohio — With the cold temperatures and now the snow, there’s an increased need for better shelter for the city’s unhoused population.
Steve Skovensky, chief programs officer for the Community Shelter Board, said the organization is working with its partners to get the city’s most needy people into some place safe for the night.
“Last night, our partners, Southeast and NetCare, worked to get 11 people in the Short North into a safe shelter. These were people experiencing street homelessness without the cover of a tent, sleeping in doorways and parks,” Skovensky said.
According to some, there isn’t enough being done and people are still left wondering where they will go. Pastor and local advocate Gary Witte said around 40 people have been staying at the Columbus Mennonite Church overnight because they can’t get into shelters.
“The real issue here is, you heard it in there, warming centers during the day. Why not during the night? You have recreation centers, you have spaces, you have gyms. People need to be put up in those recreation centers at night,” Witte said.
The city said keeping the recreation centers open overnight just isn’t feasible due to programming in the early morning and other times. Skovensky said the few overnight shelters they do operate through the Community Shelter Board and other partners will expand capacity or utilize hotels if it comes to it.
Witte said the Columbus Mennonite Church is picking up the slack, but it can only do it for another night.
“After tonight, the Mennonite Church won't be open in the evening. I know the weather is getting better, but where are these 40 people going to go? The Shelter Board says they'll take care of it, but I'll believe it when I see it,” Witte said.
Skovensky said he wants to partner with Witte and others in the community trying to solve the city’s homeless crisis.
“I went right up to Gary afterward and said I want to partner with him. We want to partner with anyone in the community that's raising their hand who wants to address homelessness,” Skovensky said.
Many of the warming shelters close at 9 p.m. The Columbus Mennonite Church will remain open Friday night beginning at 8 p.m.