Cold Weather Shelter Program Opens Nov. 30 In Howard County

Washington DC

18 November, 2020

12:18 PM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The cold weather shelter program in Howard County will open up Nov. 30 and close March 28. The cold weather shelter program was created to help out people who cannot find emergency shelter when the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center in Columbia is full. Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, individuals in need of emergency shelter will be housed in a non-congregate shelter where there will be cleaning protocols in place to reduce the spread of the virus. Individuals staying at the shelter also will be offered COVID-19 testing on site. "These are unique circumstances, and County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services are leading the way in supporting the 'best practices approach' to assist individuals facing homelessness during a pandemic," Grassroots Executive Director Mariana Izraelson said in a statement. The Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services will be funding the shelter space for the 17-week program and Grassroots is funding staffing for supervision 24 hours a day, seven days a week, along with case management to complete housing applications, meal delivery and COVID-19 supplies. Various faith organizations will provide three meals a day to individuals at the shelter. For 17 years, the cold weather shelter program has offered assistance to individuals in Howard County. Typically, 60 to 80 people seek temporary housing there each season. Grassroots operates Howard County's only emergency shelter for homeless men, women and families, as well as the Grassroots Day Resource Center. The nonprofit also operates a 24-hour crisis intervention service, which is staffed by counselors who field calls to its 24-hour hot line. As part of its crisis intervention services, Grassroots also operates the county's Mobile Crisis Team, which responds to family emergencies. For more information about how congregations can participate in the cold weather shelter program, call 410-531-6006. For emergency shelter needs, contact the crisis hotline at 410-531-6677.