Boise’s homeless shelters are facing greater demand for resources and increased strain on staff as hundreds seek refuge from freezing temperatures.
Winter weather has established itself in the Treasure Valley in recent weeks and community members who don’t have permanent refuge face serious threats to their health and survival. Boise’s homeless shelters spoke of the burden that is being felt throughout their operations.
BOISE RESCUE MISSION
Boise Rescue Mission has the largest shelter operation in the Treasure Valley, with shelters and transitional housing facilities in Boise and Nampa. In an August interview, the Rescue Mission told the Idaho Press that it had 400 guests across its shelters. As of now, the shelter serves about 450 in its facilities and an additional 50 in its transitional housing operations, Jean Lockhart, Boise Rescue Mission’s chief operating officer, said.
Beyond the uptick in individuals served, however, there has been a marked shift in demographics in recent months, with “big increases” in elderly and women and children coming through the Rescue Mission’s doors, Lockhart said.