Lack Of Homeless Shelters Plaguing Local Area

Southwest Riverside doesn’t have any permanent homeless shelters, despite a growing need, according to shelter advocates.

To help address the problem, starting Dec. 1, the city of Riverside is working to help those who are living in their cars or on the streets.

Beginning Thursday, 72 additional beds will be available daily through April 15 at the Path of Life Ministries’ Homeless Shelter at 2840 Hulen Place in Riverside. Currently, there are 64 shelter beds available; starting Dec. 1, the number will increase to 136. 

The increase is part of the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Program, jointly funded by the County and city of Riverside. The emergency beds will be available at 4:30 p.m., seven days a week through April 15, regardless of the weather.  Beds are given on a first-come, first-served basis.   

In addition to a safe and warm place to sleep, shelter guests are offered an evening hot meal, breakfast in the morning, and shower facilities. Additional referrals to and assistance from community resources also will be available.

Path of Life Ministries also operates a 50-bed family shelter and offers case management services to assist with basic needs.    

A point-in-time homeless count conducted in January by the County of Riverside Department of Public Social Services revealed that on any given night, there are about 6,203 homeless people living in Riverside County. 

The number of people living on the streets in Lake Elsinore has shot up over the last two years, . During the point-in-time surveys, the county's Department of Public Social Services counted a total of 113 people living on the streets, in abandoned buildings, beneath freeway overpasses and in transient camps. That figure compares to 68 people living under similar circumstances in 2009, DPSS officials said.

In Wildomar, the agency counted 20 people on the streets in January.

For more information about the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Program, call Path of Life Ministries at (951) 683-4101.