As the temperature plummets, homeless men and women on the streets of Xenia or Fairborn can face challenges finding warmth because Greene County has no drop-in shelter for homeless individuals.
Government and agency officials say they have some services available: a shelter for families, programs to help people in financial trouble stay in their homes, and even limited funds to put people in a hotel if absolutely necessary.
“If people are going to show up at our door, we are going to find means for them,” said Cherish Cronmiller, chief operating officer of Community Action Partnership of Greater Dayton. “With the cold weather snap, now it’s really critical.”
People needing assistance can call CAP at (937) 376-7747.
A reporter called the listed numbers for homeless shelters in eight counties, including Greene, asking if there was space available. He was told many area shelters are full, and that others have screening requirements that make it hard to get in immediately.
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Cronmiller and others say Greene County desperately needs an actual shelter they can open when potentially deadly weather strikes.
“Our dream is to have an emergency shelter and maybe even someday have permanent, supportive housing (in Greene County,” Cronmiller said.
Greene County Administrator Brandon Huddleston said several groups are working on setting up a shelter to provide short-term, indigent housing. One option is to use the former Simon Kenton Elementary School building on Second Street in Xenia, but it’s unclear whether or when they would happen.
“It’s cold and the doors aren’t open today,” he said.
Huddleston said the county has programs, but “(there are) folks that are sleeping in tents, and wherever they are and waiting to work through the list.”
The Schneider House of Hope in Xenia can house up to nine families and had space available Thursday, according to its director Bill Mallernee. He said there’s an application process, so it’s possible for someone to get in the same day, but not guaranteed.
Penny Madry-Johnson runs Greene County Housing Program, Inc., which has beds for families at the former American Red Cross shelter at 1080 E. Main St. in Xenia.
Her shelter has 21 beds and can double capacity in an emergency. Getting in requires an application process, though it’s possible for someone to get in the same day if they qualify.
She said Wednesday there were beds available — only for families, not single men or women — though “pretty much we stay pretty full.”
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