Since Thursday night, homeless shelters in Santa Clara County have been offering additional beds due to the cold weather and will continue to do so through Monday, county officials said.
The Office of Supportive Housing can expand its shelter capacity for inclement weather when there is a forecasted overnight low of 38 degrees or lower with a probability of rain less than 50 percent; or when there is a forecasted overnight low of 42 degrees or lower with a probability of rain of 50 percent or greater.
Until Monday morning, the Gilroy Armory Winter Shelter at 8490 Wren Ave. in Gilroy is offering 180 beds, up from the usual 130. The 50 additional beds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, county officials said.
Clients must be onsite by 6 p.m. The shelter is open until 6 a.m., county officials said.
Overnight capacity at the Boccardo Reception Center at 2011 Little Orchard St. in San Jose has increased to 350 from the usual 250. Of those, 150 beds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, county officials said.
The center only serves adults, who must be onsite by 3:30 p.m. to join the lottery for a bed.
Temporary protection from the cold is available from 8 a.m. to noon at the Gilroy Compassion Center at 370 Tompkins Court in Gilroy.
Other shelters offering additional beds until Monday morning include Project WeHOPE at 1854 Bay Road in East Palo Alto, the Bill Wilson Center at 693 S. Second St. in San Jose, City Team Ministries at 1174 Old Bayshore Highway in San Jose, Montgomery Street Inn at 358 N. Montgomery St. in San Jose, the Georgia Travis House at 260 Commercial St. in San Jose, and Salvation Army at 359 N. Fourth St. in San Jose.
Starting tonight, Friday, and lasting through Monday morning, the city of San Jose’s overnight warming locations will be open from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
The Heart and Home Collaborative will also in January open its temporary shelter for homeless women at University Lutheran Church in Palo Alto. The shelter expects to house 12 to 15 women from Jan. 14 to Feb. 26.
We have come to expect and accept homelessness in our society but we must realize that having fellow citizens suffering daily and nightly is unjust. It is an abomination. It is not what society, what each and every one of us, should tolerate.
Living, sleeping in the cold wet in donated sleeping bags, in second hand jackets is wrong.
While we enjoy lavish meals and open beautiful gifts let us all feel a bit uneasy. Let us feel righteous anger and let us renew our efforts to change our society into a just and compassionate one for each and every human being.
To EyesWideOpen, well said, and very well stated. I just became homeless in November, 2016 due to a landlord of many years wanting to renovate our home, and increase the rent more than one thousand dollars. I agree landowners who depend on rents to survive should be able to make a decent income from their rentals, but what is happening today here in Palo Alto, and along the Peninsula is a shame, and needs to be stopped. This is the second Thanksgiving, and Christmas where I had nothing to eat on either of those days. I am lucky to have an office space where I can stay warm and sleep at night. Unlike some, I feel lucky to be able to stay out of the cold. And, without the great workers at Chipotle, and Jack in the Box, I would have nothing to eat on a daily basis. I have found that there are some good caring people here in Palo Alto. I am constantly surprised by the eateries and restaurants who throw in extra food for me, or sometimes simply do not charge me for the food. And, I have had customers who stand in line, and pass their good will forward by paying for my meal. I never asked, but from the goodness of their hears, people show that they care. I had one customer in Panda Express pay for my meal when I discovered I did not have enough to purchase the plate. That customer paid for the meal, and brought it to me saying, “May I offer you this as a gift?” I almost cried. Yes, I keep telling myself, when everything comes back together, the one thing I want personally, is a full meal. Yet, I am very grateful that somehow, I manage to eat something everyday. And, I hope that housing comes through at some point in the new year. Thank you EyesWideOpen for acknowledging our existence. Happy New Year!