New inclement weather shelter to open in December, serving Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A new inclement weather shelter will be opening in December for four localities.
Richmond non-profit CARITAS partnered with the City of Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties to give people a safe, warm shelter this winter.
This warehouse will turn into a shelter for up to 60 people.
The only city-sponsored cold weather shelter is the Salvation Army at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue in Richmond. But, if the 106 beds fill up -- 66 for men and 40 for women over the age of 18 -- and it’s below 40 degrees, the new CARITAS Surge Shelter will be open starting Dec. 1.
It can sleep up to 60 people.
This is not a walk-up shelter. Anyone needing shelter will still need to go to the Salvation Army on Chamberlayne Avenue, which opens Nov. 15.
“If the Surge Shelter is operating and activated, transportation will be provided from the inclement weather shelter to the surge shelter at CARITAS," said CARITAS president and CEO Karen O’Brien at the shelter's announcement on Oct. 29.
Local leaders at the announcement -- Henrico County Board of Supervisors vice chair Roscoe D. Cooper III, Richmond mayor Danny Avula, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisor chair Jim Ingle, Hanover County Board of Supervisors vice chair Sean M. Davis and Major Samuel Kim with The Salvation Army Central Virginia -- said this is another tool in the region’s approach to addressing homelessness.
“The surge shelter represents collaboration, compassion and shar[ing] commitment to investing in human dignity," Ingle said. “I hope this shelter’s never needed, but I’m glad it’s here just in case.”
CARITAS has been working with people battling homelessness and addiction for 40 years.
Richmond mayor Danny Avula said this is a right step, and there is still more to be done.
“We know that it’s not enough, right? When we do the point-in-time count, we see numbers that are more in the 5 to 600 range, and you know, not all of those folks are going to end up in shelters," Avula said. "Many of those folks choose to live in encampments or more transitional settings.”
This announcement comes after a slew of issues with inclement weather shelters throughout the region, including the co-founder of one shelter embezzling tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars.
The four localities have approved up to $618,000 to fund the surge shelter. The City of Richmond will contribute 50%, Henrico County 35%, Chesterfield County 12%, and Hanover County 3%.
The shelter will be open until March 31, 2026.
