Church devises safer, cost-effective homeless units

Troy Shantz New individual room “pods” are giving people staying at River City Sanctuary some privacy and a new sense of home, organizers say. The seven-by-eight foot enclosures include a bed, desk and two lock boxes to store personal belongings.

Troy Shantz

New individual room “pods” are giving people staying at River City Sanctuary some privacy and a new sense of home, organizers say.

The seven-by-eight foot enclosures include a bed, desk and two lock boxes to store personal belongings.

The frames are made of metal tubing wrapped in curtains of heavy tarp material. They are easily cleaned and sanitized and provide better protection from the spread of COVID-19, said George Esser, lead pastor at the Mitton Street shelter and church.

“A few different people have tried it out and they love it,” he said. “They love the space, they love everything about it.”

A local pipefitter and several fabrication shops have helped set up an on-site welding shop to build the units with help from residents, Esser said.

One takes about two days to construct, with volunteers learning how to weld in the process.

“Everyone needs something to do,” he said. “I think a lot of problems with some people is they’re bored and they have no aims in life and no ambitions or goals and they’re beaten down. This gives them something to look forward to doing.”

The Sanctuary currently houses a maximum 25 men each night. Living quarters consist of bunk beds enclosed in sheets to help control the virus. Staff has been turning people away at night since the pandemic began.

But an expansion is underway.

River City currently has enough funding to construct 24 of the pods — each cost about $2,500 — with the goal of having 65 units available for people in need of shelter.

The swimming pool of the former YMCA building has been filled in to create space for about 40 pods. When ready, the new area will have heated floors, HVAC improvements and accommodation for homeless women, something not currently available.

The $500,000 expansion has moved slowly but it’s hoped the new space can be open by March 31, Esser said.