For the second time in two years, a group helping the unhoused is moving.
The City of Manitowoc’s Plan Commission unanimously approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the Manitowoc Warming Shelter to operate this winter.
But the shelter will not be at the Lakeshore CAP office on State Street. Instead, it will move to St. Paul Lutheran Church on S. 10th Street.
Manitowoc Warming Shelter Executive Director Pastor Matt Sauer tells SeehaferNews.com that the city was concerned about life safety, which prompted the shelter to seek a new temporary home.
St. Paul Lutheran has fire exits and an overhead sprinkler system, making it much safer for guests.
City staff also wanted some data from the warming shelter.
“Common myth was people are coming into the county and being dropped off just to use our services,” he explained. “So, we took stats last year and found out that the vast majority of people claim this as their home. They’ve been here; they have family here.”
St Paul Lutheran Pastor Heather Yerion-Keck says having the warming shelter aligns with their mission.
“We had been partnering them for a couple of years, supporting them financially and with meals,” she stated. “And this was an opportunity to make our building more useful to the community and embrace a need.”
Pastor Sauer says last year, the Manitowoc Warming Shelter provided 1,656 nights of shelter to 83 people, with 44 living in the City of Manitowoc and 48 considering Manitowoc County their home.
Sauer was again appreciative of the Plan Commission’s approval of the CUP for another year, but is hopeful that a conversation will happen in the future about a permanent warming shelter.
“We’re just waiting for the city to have that conversation,” he admitted. “It’s that, this is the best place to build, and we’re going to even recommend you talk to this person about getting that building or that property.”
The Manitowoc Plan Commission also took out a couple of requirements, including the 76-day maximum stay amount and the requirement of a “lottery system.”
The shelter is expected to run for only 150 days, starting in November.
The Manitowoc Warming Shelter had previously been at the First Presbyterian Church on N. 8th Street.
The full Manitowoc Common Council has to approve the Plan Commission’s recommendation, which is expected to happen at its September 21st regular council meeting.
