麻豆精选鈥檚 Gospel Mission says it is keeping it doors open round the clock to help help the homeless stay out of the smokey conditions that have enveloped the city.
The local 100-bed emergency shelter on Leon Avenue announced Tuesday it stay open 24/7 as the smoke continues to hang over the valley.
鈥淲hile most people are able to stay inside with air conditioning, homeless people do not have that option,鈥� said the Gospel Mission in a news release announcing the move.
鈥淥ver the last few days鈥� clients of the shelter have been complaining about difficulty breathing, headaches and eye irritation.鈥�
Executive director Randy Benson said the mission decided decided to stay open because of the ongoing smoke advisory.
He said while staying open makes it difficult for staff and volunteers to clean the shelter, get paperwork done and take a break, it was felt it was 鈥渋mperative鈥� that people on the street have a safe place to stay until the smoke clears up.
The shelter provides about 600 meals per day and regularly fills its 80 shelter beds.
鈥淏ecause of the affordable housing shortage in 麻豆精选, we are finding more and more people displaced with the shelter being their only option.鈥� said Benson. 鈥� We want to keep everyone safe while they are taking steps to find housing.鈥�
