While the Salvation Army of Bloomington announced its Emergency Winter Shelter would not open in time for a promised Oct. 15 launch, the City of Bloomington stepped in to provide resources and make it happen. Now, the space is open.
In an email to WGLT on Monday night, Salvation Army said beds had not arrived, essential safety equipment still needed to be installed and the nonprofit was still hiring additional staff to help staff the new overnight shift.
When Bloomington heard, City Manager Jeff Jurgens said the city stepped in to provide temporary smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors for the nonprofit.
"They still do not have cots, but due to the freezing weather that we're expecting, they're able to open up the space, and so I'm sure people will have blankets and other things like that," he said.
There's a freeze warning in effect Tuesday night in Bloomington, according to the National Weather Service.
Even without a mattress to sleep, Jurgens said he thinks it's "a much better solution than sleeping outside for those who don't want to sleep outside."
The Salvation Army intends to have new detectors professionally installed later this week and is hiring additional staff to help on overnight shifts.
In Monday's statement, Salvation Army said it was “working to identify additional beds and temporary housing openings” as well.
The nonprofit said it would also open the “Safety Net,” a warming center in Safe Harbor shelter to provide heating, blankets and hydration from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. During the day, people can also get meals from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Opening coincides with encampment closure
The city had passed an emergency order in September for a winter shelter. That's because it had also announced the closure of a longstanding homeless encampment in an overflow parking lot of Eastview Christian Church near downtown.
Staff and volunteers from Home Sweet Home Ministries shelter — which had been offering resources and outreach to the encampment for around a year — Eastview Church, Salvation Army and the nonprofit God’s Mission Ministry all came together to help around 35 people who'd been staying there relocate and clear the lot.
By 11 a.m. Tuesday, nearly all of the tents were taken down and only one or two residents of the encampment lingered, as they finished packing their belongings.
Once beds arrive at the Emergency Winter Shelter, it should be able to accommodate around 30 people, which is not enough for the county’s unhoused population.
CEO Kim Massey with God's Mission Ministry said the street outreach nonprofit estimates around 120 people are currently living unsheltered in the area. She added that many people she knew from the encampment that was dispersed are not planning to use the Salvation Army option.
Still work to do
Jurgens said although the encampment is cleared, there is still work to be done to fight homelessness in McLean County.
"This was a very challenging day for many people, but (I) do appreciate the work that everybody put into this," he said. "Our work regarding homelessness is certainly not done, though."
The city is continuing to collaborate with the Town of Normal, McLean County and community partners to find housing solutions for people who are unhoused, including a non-congregate shelter.
