This past January, SID ambassador Rich found David bedding down outside The Open Shelter in the extreme cold. David had frequently refused help from the SID’s Outreach team with the explanation that he was waiting on a disability determination and would soon have money to move. 

With the frigid temperatures this past winter, the Capital Crossroads and Discovery SIDs worked with the Community Shelter Board to find rooms for those sleeping outside The Open Shelter. The SID and The Open Shelter were concerned people would freeze to death. This cold weather exception opened rooms at the YMCA downtown.

Rich told David about the new program at the YMCA. After a few conversations, Rich got David to talk to the SIDs Outreach team. David came for an intake, and five minutes after the team emailed the YMCA, he had a place to stay.

To help David continue to stay at the YMCA, the Outreach team assisted him in obtaining a copy of his birth certificate, social security card, and certificate of his disability, all the necessary documentation typically needed to get into permanent supportive housing. David continues to live at the YMCA downtown and receive the health and social services he needs.

The cold weather exception likely saved David’s life. David and others who found housing due to the exception remain in that situation or can apply to transfer to other Public Supportive Housing.

SID-tistics: COVID complicated the SID Homeless Outreach Team’s efforts to help homeless individuals downtown find housing. Despite this, the Outreach Team remains on track to help more homeless in 2021 than they did in 2020. In 2020, the team helped get 99 homeless individuals off the streets; so far in 2021, they have helped 67 individuals.