Hampton Roads winter shelters are already nearing capacity as the region experiences its first taste of winter weather, with emergency shelter leaders reporting a drastic 63% increase in guests compared to last year.
Elizabeth Parker, President and CEO of LINK Hampton Roads — which operates the Port Winter Shelter Program — says numbers are climbing to levels that are much higher than usual for this time of year.
The surge in demand means some churches are stepping up to help, including Lighthouse Church on Hilton Boulevard, by offering their facilities to temporarily be used for housing. With the cooperation of over a dozen churches, the Port Winter Shelter Program has put together a schedule of which churches will be used to house those in need on a rotating basis…