Homeless shelters in Puyallup shut down during coronavirus outbreak. ‘Difficult decision’
Homeless services in Puyallup have all but come to a halt in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Freezing Nights, the only overnight shelter program outside of Tacoma, announced Monday it would suspend shelter services this year.
The only daytime center in East Pierce County, the New Hope Resource Center, has reduced daily hours to 12 to 3 p.m. Director Paula Anderson asks the public to donate sleeping bags or tents, because those experiencing homelessness have no other option.
Mike Boisture, who heads Freezing Nights, said once Gov. Jay Inslee announced social gatherings of more than 50 were prohibited, he felt like his hands were tied. Having folks sleeping close to each other would create incubation for the virus.
“It was an extremely difficult decision,” Boisture said.
Currently, there is no place for those experiencing homelessness in Puyallup to go.
Many are camped on the Puyallup Riverwalk, with the 30 or so tents New Hope has provided or in their cars.
‘Sanitation locations’
Anderson said the city should consider a temporary tent city so that providers can monitor how those living in tents are doing, cloister those who are sick and provide sanitation.
Anderson sent a letter via email to the city of Puyallup, asking city officials to at least consider “sanitation locations” where folks can wash up.
“We have many very at-risk, many have health issues, many are older, and don’t have the capacity to find a place to wash their hands,” she said. “They used the library to get warm or use the restroom, and those are shut down. We are left with trying to find sanitation to avoid spreading a virus they may or may not have at this point.”
Puyallup’s spokesperson, Brenda Fritsvold said the city did not have a definitive response, but city officials are aware of the issue.
“It’s definitely something that’s on the radar,” Fritsvold said.
The Freezing Nights program is entirely volunteer-based. Churches in the area take turns throughout the week hosting an estimated 60 homeless folks every night. The program starts in November and ends March 31.
New Hope and Freezing Nights continue to provide meals to the homeless.
The churches are packing dinners for about 55 and bringing them to Valley Plaza at 6:30 p.m.
New Hope is offering lunch for about 100, but Anderson said she can’t do much more. Three-quarters of her staff are over the age of 60 and staying home.
Boisture said he doesn’t know what will happen going forward.
“Our concern is where are they going?” Boisture asked. “We have senior adults, we are trying to get them out of the cold weather. They are extremely high risk.”
The rapport between the city and New Hope has been strained in recent years. The resource center’s parent nonprofit, Homeward Bound, has sued the city several times over homeless shelter restrictions passed by City Council.
“I realize there has been litigation,” Anderson said. “But this is a time to drop everything and try to come together to do something about this.”
Confirmed cases among homeless
In Tacoma, two people staying in homeless shelters have tested positive for COVID-19. In the most recent case, the man was believed to have potentially exposed seven people who were sleeping near him.
Tacoma Rescue Mission told The News Tribune operating a shelter during the coronavirus outbreak has been difficult.
“Every other organization is asking people to work from home and social distance, and we’re bringing in a couple hundred people every night,” Paulson said. “We can’t send people home. The people who are coming to us don’t have any other options.”
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 12:37 PM.
