Lisa Spano was evicted from her apartment during the pandemic and has spent the last four and a half years without a home.
She lived on the streets until she began occupying one of the dozens of temporary shelters that the city of Greensboro has operated since 2023. The shelters, which are made by Seattle-based company Pallet, are insulated, heated, pop-up structures that house up to two people. They come equipped with beds, shelves, and some storage space. Residents of the community also have access to running showers and privacy. This winter, when it gets cold, Spano will be safe. But her friend, Michael Pickett, may not be so lucky.
This year, the city is changing its winter sheltering plans. In the past, it has opened shelters with beds at recreation centers and churches. The city also opens warming centers—or “white flag” locations without beds—as resting places when the temperature drops below 32 degrees.
According to national data, hundreds of unhoused people die each year due to the cold. And the number of people experiencing homelessness overall has been increasing over the last several years…