Carbondale Warming Center to Close, Leaving Homeless Residents Seeking Shelter
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Carbondale Warming Center is preparing to close its doors, leaving some people experiencing homelessness searching for a safe place to stay.
The center has served as a 24-hour shelter for people in need since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, deteriorating conditions inside the building and a lack of funding for necessary repairs have made it difficult to continue operating as a shelter.
Teneshkia Wright, Executive Director of the Carbondale Warming Center, said the facility has experienced problems with its pipes and bathrooms, aging air conditioning units and stolen equipment.
Wright said the center typically sees about 30 people a night during the winter months and 15-20 utilize the overnight shelter year round. She estimates about 15 people could be left without shelter following the closure.
Many of those who rely on the center also face mental health challenges, making access to community resources especially important.
The shelters last night open will be Saturday October 30th.
According to Wright organizations Good Sam will be available during the day, and Take Action will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering services to people who need food, showers, laundry facilities, clothing or a place to relax.
“For anyone that needs to go and have a shower or just need to relax, need some food, need their clothes and laundry washed, they are open to that as well” Wright says.
Wright is asking local agencies, housing organizations and mental health providers to help identify resources for people who may lose access to shelter.
She also encouraged anyone who knows of available resources to contact the center.
As colder weather approaches, community leaders say connecting people with available services will be critical to helping those without stable housing find a safe place to stay.
A newly renovated location is expected to be done in about a year and will be the new Carbondale Warming Center.
