Homeless out in the cold

When the cold weather hits, centers open in cities across the country to give the homeless a place to warm up. The city of Spokane operates three through its Human Services Department.

But here in Kootenai County and throughout North Idaho, there’s nothing more than the shelters that are open year-round.

“You have a lot of denial in this area,” said Deborah Baptist, the executive director of the Bonner County Homeless Task Force. There are shelters in the Sandpoint area for the homeless, but none are emergency shelters that accept walk-ins at all hours.

Coeur d’Alene’s St. Vincent de Paul has an emergency shelter, and there’s a drop-in center downtown operated by Gary Edwards’ Fresh Start organization.

But homeless advocates in the area say there’s just not enough places for people to go in North Idaho.

“It’s frustrating because they’re all overcrowded and they all have waiting lists,” Edwards said. “Sometimes we just have to tell them there’s nothing we can do for them.”

In North Idaho, Coeur d’Alene’s St. Vincent de Paul is the largest provider of services to the homeless. Located on Walnut Avenue off of Government Way, the men’s shelter has a covered porch equipped with cots and sleeping bags for people who just need temporary shelter.

“We try not to turn anyone away, especially when it’s cold,” said James Covert, who’s been staying at the shelter for about three weeks.

Rebecca Cravens has been living at St. Vincent’s women’s shelter for about a month. The 24-year-old moved here from California recently to try to get her life in order. She’s in a better position than most – she’s got a steady job at JC Penney and stable shelter.

Others aren’t so lucky.

“We’ve had at least one person on the front porch since the snow started,” added Kathy Reed, social services director for St. Vincent’s.

Reed said there isn’t a noticeable uptick in the number of homeless people seeking shelter at St. Vincent’s. It stays fairly constant all year.

“It’s just too bad everyone waits till the snow flies to think of them,” Reed said.

“This situation happens year-round. It’s not just the weather,” said Kevin Moon, who’s lived at the shelter since June. “I think there’s just not enough options for them.”

Covert praised the shelter and St. Vincent’s for helping him during a tough time.

“If it wasn’t for them being here right now, I’d literally have nothing,” he said. “I was outside in the cold.”

Bonner County’s Baptist said the first step to improving services for the homeless in the area is to stop denying that they exist.

“People can believe that there is no homeless problem, when in reality, there is,” she said.