The City of Lancaster, Lancaster County Food Hub, Lancaster County Housing & Redevelopment Authority, and Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition have announced that 80 emergency shelter beds will be made available for the winter season through Sunday, March 31.

The Lancaster County Food Hub has committed to providing 40 additional emergency shelter beds, for a total of 80 beds, and is working to secure all necessary resources to increase capacity. Currently, the Food Hub's low-barrier shelter offers 40 beds. Additional beds will made available as soon as staff members can be recruited.

Additional financial resources are needed to ensure the expansion in shelter capacity. Community members may donate to the Lancaster County Homelessness and Affordable Housing Fund at http://www.lancfound.org/fund/lancaster-county-homelessness-and-affordable-housing-fund.

The low-barrier shelter previously operated at Ebenezer Baptist Church and was closed on Nov. 15 due to a boiler failure. Through a community effort, individuals experiencing homelessness were moved to a temporary space in less than 24 hours. Additionally, the Food Hub is overseeing a portable toilet at the rear of the shelter for public use to fill the gap in overnight restroom accessibility in the downtown core.