If everything goes as planned, San Diego’s winter homeless shelter will open Thursday, a week later than organizers would have liked.
The process of getting the shelter up and running was delayed because the city council couldn’t decide where the shelter should go. Then the Barrio Logan building that was selected needed additional permits and some demolition work.
Bob McElroy is with the Alpha Project which runs the shelter. He said a final walk-through is scheduled Thursday morning. McElroy plans a celebration when the shelter opens later this afternoon.
“We’ve held off our Thanksgiving, we haven’t had our Thanksgiving yet. So our plan is to have turkey dinner and all the fixings,” he said.
In past years the shelter has traditionally opened by Thanksgiving. McElroy said about 800 people will be transitioned through the 220 bed shelter in the four months it’s open. After the shelter closes, the building will be used as a school for homeless children.
