news-record.com

Winter is still more than a month away. But operators of a Greensboro homeless shelter are already dealing with high demand due to chilly temperatures this week.



The Greensboro Urban Ministry, which operates the Weaver House night shelter for single homeless adults, had to house an extra 10 people in its lobby because of increased demand, according to a shelter official.



It has a capacity of 84 men and 16 women.



The shelter's operators are keeping a watchful eye on even colder temperatures predicted this week. Forecasters expect temperatures in the Triad to dip below freezing by Wednesday night.



"We anticipate having to put additional people on mats or having them sit in our lobby," the Rev. Mike Aiken, executive director of the Greensboro Urban Ministry, said in a statement Tuesday.



Aiken said the Urban Ministry is working the Salvation Army of Greensboro to provide emergency overflow shelter this winter.



"We would love to have more groups and places volunteer to open emergency shelters this winter," he said. "More and more homeless people are being dropped at our doors having been released from mental hospitals, jails, and other institutions without having a proper discharge plan."



In June, a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness in Guilford County was unveiled along with some funding details.