Local shelters meet to discuss the urgency and needs to address homelessness in the metro

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — “The demand is great, we make decisions that we wouldn’t normally make about how many people we serve. Sometimes we tolerate more things within the shelter and more behavior within the shelter than what we would normally do. And everybody gets really, really stressed,” said Jan Eliassen, Gladys Ray Shelter.

On any given night, over a thousand people are homeless in the metro area. That number includes children, teens, adults, and seniors. Local shelters have seen an increase in the number of teens and seniors in the past few months. But the need also comes at a time when they are at capacity.

“The needs are real; the need to maintain what the shelters are currently providing is real. There are growing gaps. And we also know there is more needed to meet the rising demand,” said Chandler Esslinger.

United to End Homelessness has been working to raise $2.5 million with a goal of raising $1 million by the end of 2025, and so far, they have raised seventy-five percent of that goal.

This week is North Dakota’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which highlights the growing need to help people with food, housing, and stability.

“These are people, not problems. There may be some problem behavior, but people are what we’re trying to do is care about,” said Rob Swiers, New Life Center.

The New Life Center is working to raise funds to provide up to 24 beds during the winter months. And other shelters are working together to find everyone a space this winter.

The Fm Coalition to End Homelessness encourages people to give to any of the local organizations to help fill those needs.