More people seeking help from homeless shelters

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Homeless shelters have adjusted to the new normal. 

And this new normal means an increase in the number of people they are seeing.

This increase is a result of other facilities in the area that have closed or shortened their hours due to coronavirus. 

Room in the Inn’s program coordinator Sharli Rogers has seen over 60 new clients since the pandemic began. 

“That tells me that first of all there’s a lot more people out on the streets possibly. And we haven’t even started with the wave of folks who are potentially losing their housing due to evictions,” said Rogers. 

Room in the Inn is a day facility where people can get a meal, take a shower or cool off for a bit. They have stayed open throughout the pandemic by cycling people in and out during the day.  

The shelters that are open like Room in the Inn have reevaluated their procedures to keep their occupants safe, after the pandemic hit. 

New rules have been put in place including wearing a face mask, social distancing and limiting occupancy numbers. 

So far the procedures have been successful at the local Salvation Army, as Captain Michael Cox says no one has tested positive 

“That’s always the nervousness of this whole thing, it’s that someone could bring it in. however we’ve been very fortunate so far,” said Cox. 

Rogers says it’s important to stay positive despite the tough times.

“Things are tough for the people that we see but we’re in the business of offering hope,” Rogers says.