MIDVALE, Utah -- A surge in homeless families has The Road Home Shelter opening its winter facility a few weeks early in order to accommodate the overflow of people needing assistance.
Previously, the shelter would open once the colder weather sets in. A spokesman with The Road Home Shelter said they have seen an increase of 10 percent as more families need their services.
The overflow facility, located at 7300 S. 529 West in Midvale, opened on Monday as 70 families began staying at the shelter.
"Most of them do get back on their feet, staying less than a month. We can help families with some rental assistance, with case management to engage them with employment and other income sources" said Michelle Flynn, The Road Home. "[We] help them move out of the shelter within a few of weeks, into their own apartment and help them for just a couple of months more and then we never see them again."
The shelter attributed their success to the support and donations of the community. With the new location opening, they are in need of bedding and warmer clothes especially.
Donations can be dropped off at the downtown location of The Road Home at 210 S. Rio Grande Street.
