Pictured, from left: Vanessa Blevins, CFO CHATT Foundation; Mike Smith, executive director CRHC; and Baron King, CEO CHATT Foundation
Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition granted CHATT Foundation with the funding necessary to operate the Cold Weather Warming Shelter, providing a safe place to sleep on the coldest nights.
"With over 1,000 persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness on any given night in Hamilton County, there is often a question of what happens when the weather gets cold,' officials said. "Yesterday, Nov. 22, Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition awarded CHATT Foundation with $70,000 to address this situation.
With this money, the CHATT Foundation will operate the low barrier Cold Weather Warming Shelter. Located on 11th Street in Chattanooga, CHATT Foundation will be able to provide a place for persons experiencing homelessness to find safety from the cold during the coldest nights.
Mike Smith, executive director of CRHC said, “Housing is the end to homelessness, yet housing is not readily available to all. Until it is, we are committed to ensuring no one has to die in the streets due to inclement weather.”
“In the absence of a 24/7 low barrier emergency shelter, the CHATT Foundation provides overnight accommodations in the cold winter months for those who are unsheltered,” said Baron King, CEO of CHATT Foundation.
The Cold Weather Warming Shelter is open on nights when the temperature is below 35 degrees, 40 degrees when it is raining. The Shelter is open from 7 p.m.-6 a.m. and is located at 727 East 11th St. in Chattanooga.
Mr. Smith expressed his thankfulness for CRHC’s partnership with the CHATT Foundation on these life-saving efforts, saying, “The CHATT Foundation has always served some of our most vulnerable neighbors and we believe that this project will save many lives from being extinguished this winter.”
For more information about when the Cold Weather Warming Shelter is open, text “COLD” to 1-833-417-3071.