CINCINNATI – The threat of below-freezing temperatures and snow in the forecast, the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky is operating an overflow space this week at Mother of God Roman Catholic Church in Covington, Ky.

​The shelter is the only immediate entrance, low-barrier shelter for men and women ages 18 and up in northern Kentucky. This time of year, the availability of a bed can be life-and-death.

Temperatures over the remainder of the week are supposed to be well-below freezing into the weekend.

A report last year by the National Coalition for the Homeless found that 700 people experiencing, or at-risk of being houseless are killed from hypothermia annually in the U.S.

The outside of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky. (Provided)

“When we saw the temperature drop to deadly levels, we knew we had to do something,” said Kim Webb, the shelter’s executive director. “This is our mission. This is what we do. This is about ensuring people have a safe, warm place to sleep at night.”

ESNKY can only offer a limited number of beds at its current facility due to restrictions related to COVID-19.

Webb said they've been able to house about 24 adults each night since the winter began. She said that number has sufficed so far, but as they’ve gone deeper into the months and as temperatures have steadily started to drop, that need has increased.

Due to the combination of need and safety restrictions, the shelter has had to turn people away. Sometimes up to 15 to 20 people a night. That’s been difficult on her staff.

“They don't like turning away people. That is one of the emotionally challenging things about working here,” Webb said. “The need is so great, and especially with such limited beds, you know, it’s been hard on them. They’re here because they want to help people.”

Across the river, the Winter Shelter, operated by Shelterhouse, typically operates from December to February each year. The site in downtown Cincinnati can house up to 200 single men and women who are not current residents of the Shelterhouse.

It's one of several such shelters that operate throughout the winter in Greater Cincinnati.

"Our local partner agencies work very hard to make sure that everyone who needs and wants a shelter bed can access one. The Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, Shelterhouse, Talbert House and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church expand shelter capacity during the coldest times of the year,” said Kevin Finn, president and CEO of Strategies to End Homelessness.

While other shelters are open, the need is great and transportation between sites can be a problem, Webb said.

She reached out to Mother of God in hopes of expanding immediate overnight services to those living in northern Kentucky. It's only a few blocks from the shelter. Beyond providing a warm bed and a safe space, they also offer guests food and other services. 

“Shelter is a basic human necessity,” Webb said. “We want to greet those vulnerable in our community with compassion and dignity.”

With the added space, they can accommodate up to 49 men and women between the two sites. They had 18 people at the church Wednesday night.

Guest intake starts at 6 p.m. each night at the shelter on Scott Street. Once the shelter is full, guests will be directed to the church on West Sixth Street.

Webb said they're working with local public library branches, which are operating as warming shelters during the day.

The ESNKY staff was “excited” when they announced the temporary partnership with Mother of God, Webb recalled. Several of them volunteered to come in and work on their days off, or to work overtime to help get everything ready for their guests.

“Without them, 18 people wouldn’t have been able to sleep inside last night,” Webb said.

“I’m just incredibly proud of my staff,” she added. “They’re outstanding workers and better people. They really care about taking care of others. That’s our mission.”

Guests at the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky play a game of chess during an overnight stay. (Provided)

This isn’t the first time Mother of God has offered ESNKY space to temporarily expand their shelter space to house extra guests. They did so back in the winter of 2019. Webb called the church “instrumental” with helping them get through a “difficult season.”

She said Rev. Mike Comer, the pastor of Mother of God, was quick to offer his services again this year.

“I called Fr. Mike earlier this week to ask if there was any way we could use the undercroft at the church again. Without hesitation, he agreed. And so, we were off and running by late Tuesday afternoon to get things in place for Wednesday and the rest of this week.”

The overflow space is going to operate evenings at least through Friday. Based on need and the weather forecast, there’s a possibility that additional nights could be added, Webb said. That’s not guaranteed though.

Webb isn’t going to focus on the what-ifs because they have a job to do tonight.

“We have a term at the shelter called ‘shelter magic’ and we will rely on a little bit of that,” she said. “Tonight, we'll definitely be at Mother of God and that’s what we’re focused on.”

Webb said this situation won’t occur in a few weeks when they move into their new 10,000-square-foot space at 436 W. 13th St. in Covington.

When that space opens, it will double current capacity for individuals. The state-of-the-art space will also operate as a year-round houseless shelter.

It will also serve as northern Kentucky’s first “daytime navigation and engagement center,” Webb said. It will give guests a safe place to stay during the day to get out of the extreme temperatures.

Guests will also have access to various services and amenities. They’ll be able to take a shower, do laundry and connect to services they might need. Guests will also have access to an on-site medical clinic, community partner meeting rooms, mail services, phone charging stations and computer access.

The shelter will also work to help guests recover from being houseless by providing things such as housing assistance, financial planning and social service referrals.

Webb said earlier this year they envisioned that the new facility would open by the time winter hit. But supply chain issues and logistics challenges related to the pandemic have slowed their progress. They're hopeful that with a little of that “shelter magic” they will open by the end of the month.

“Regardless of where we are, our mission is to help those in need. We are focused on doing what we can to keep vulnerable residents in our community alive,” Webb said.