The Gathering Place provides emergency shelter to help those who might otherwise spend a night in the elements, but those services have been taxed by increased demand over the last year.

Executive Director of The Gathering Place, Paul Davis says they have a staffed congregate emergency shelter that contains about 30 cots that are intended for short term stays, but some guests must stay longer.

He says a night or two is typical, but some guests must come back for up to 20 nights, and in some of the most challenging circumstances, some guests stay at the shelter for up to 100 nights.

That, says Davis, is not ideal.

He says while there are continuing efforts to help find more permanent housing for their guests, demand is such that they’ve had to turn guests away because they’ve reached capacity.