OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Brutally cold temperatures are having an impact on those experiencing homelessness in OKC.
The Homeless Alliance said its winter shelter was full each night through the arctic blast, as thermometers plunged to life threatening levels, often pushing the organization’s facility well past its 300 bed capacity.
The Homeless Alliance operates a multi-agency homeless resource campus with access to multiple nonprofit and government agencies providing a number of resources, including health clinics, veterans services, budgeting and legal assistance.
“In our 300 bed winter shelter over the weekend, we had 380 people on one night. City Rescue Mission, which also goes into overflow, had an additional 100 in their shelter. The Salvation Army had a few in their city care, had a few in there,” said Dan Straughn, Executive Director.
The campus also includes Oklahoma City’s only low-barrier day shelter.
“I mean, you just…make room because otherwise, I mean, people might…might die,” said Straughn.