Soon, instead of sleeping in their vehicles or outdoors to keep children and parents of different genders from being separated, homeless families in Chattanooga will have a new option for staying intact as they seek permanent housing. The new Maclellan Shelter for Homeless Families will be dedicated on Monday.
The Maclellan Shelter for Homeless Families is an emergency shelter that will allow male and female family members to stay together as they seek housing. The first of its kind in the Greater Chattanooga Area, this 64-bed, 24/7 shelter will have 13 separate mini-dwellings, each of which contains a private bathroom, and a lockable door. Most other emergency shelters in Chattanooga have gender restrictions that result in intact families being separated.
The Chattanooga Community Kitchen and the Maclellan Foundation will welcome community leaders, city officials, shelter staff, volunteers, supporters and other dignitaries to join them for a ribbon-cutting and guided tour of the Maclellan Shelter for Families on Monday at 11 a.m.
The Maclellan Shelter is at 717 E. 11th St.