skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Homeless Shelters Tackling the "Freedom to Freeze"

play audio
Play

Wednesday, January 26, 2011   

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The homeless holdouts in makeshift shelters in the woods known as Tent City on the New Haven-West Haven border are being urged to come in from the cold. It could be a matter of life or death in the face of Connecticut's frigid, snowy weather.

Rebecca Allen, director of programs and services at New Haven's Columbus House shelter, says on recent super-cold nights, staffers have searched out people living under bridges, in cars or otherwise exposed to the elements.

"We checked on the folks at Tent City and living outside twice, to make sure they had blankets and heaters and firewood. They all had cell phones; they all had sleeping bags."

She says they offer rides to the shelter, and some people accept. In light of continuing bad weather forecast for Wednesday night, homeless shelters around the state have decided to postpone their biennial "Point in Time" Homeless Count to later in the week. Allen says the count is required by federal officials, but it also assists local shelters.

"It allows us to compare data every other year for sheltered and unsheltered, so we're really starting to compare apples to apples."

Meanwhile, those who do come in normally have to leave the shelters during the day, although Allen notes there are exceptions.

"If the weather is absolutely horrendous, both our overflow and our shelter stay open."

She says the overflow shelter for men has far exceeded its 75-bed capacity, up to as many as 110. Columbus House never turns women away, setting up extra cots as needed, she adds.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …


A 2022 report finds failing to speed up transmission beyond the current pace will increase 2030 U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions by 800 million tons per year. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021