Town Looks Toward Cold Weather Shelter, Substandard Housing

February 3, 2009

As the temperature plummets into the 20’s the next three nights in North Escambia, it’s no secret that many people will be very cold. Many live in substandard housing with inadequate heat that just does not keep them warm on these cold winter nights.

The Century Town Council took action Monday toward two solutions — one short-term and one long-term — to provide a solution in their town to keep residents warm.

coldweather.jpgThe council voted to work with the EscaRosa Coalition For the Homeless to develop an inclement weather shelter in the town as a short-term solution.

Brunie Emmanuel from the homeless coalition will work with the council to explore the possibility of using the old Carver School as a cold weather shelter. Under the plan, the American Red Cross would provide cots for the shelter, and area churches would provide volunteers and food.

The shelter would provide a refuge from the cold for not just the homeless, but also for those in substandard housing.

“You have folks that may be in a house but it’s not a safe shelter for them,” Emmanuel told the council.

Emmanuel told the council that in addition to the short-term shelter solution, he hopes to look at ways to improve the substandard housing that might drive people to use the shelter.

The council appointed council member Gary Riley to work with Emmanuel to explore options for the shelter and improving the housing situation.

The council also discussed investigating expanding the  capabilities  of the shelter into serving as a hurricane shelter for the town.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News