More funding to help homeless locals stay warm this winter

“It’s cold, I keep moving,” said Edgar Mendoza who is homeless. “Your hands get stiff and stuff like that.”

People living in encampments in Chinatown in Salinas, CA say they use anything from body heat to stoves to keep warm in chilly temperatures.

“Sometimes people try not to feel the cold by using drugs,” said Mendoza. “When they use drugs and stuff and they forget that they’re body’s suffering and they collapse and die.”

County of Monterey Department of Social and Employment Services say hypothermia amongst the homeless population is a big concern this winter.

“You only need to look at the encampments to know that homeless is with us,” said County of Monterey Department of Social and Employment Services director Elliott Robinson. “It’s exasperated by the very high costs of rentals in Monterey county.”

To combat future problems more than $200,000 has been allocated to increase warming services to those without a home.

“There were two individuals who passed away over the weekend because of the elements,” said Elliott.

The funds will help the Salinas Warming Shelter to operate two more hours a day.

Dorothy’s Place drop in center will stay open 11 hours a day instead of four and they’ll be able to hire more case managers and supervisors

“We also want to give them the opportunity to improve their lifestyle,” Dorothy’s Place director Jill Allen said. “To go into a healthier living environment so that maybe next year we won’t have so many people to shelter,” said Stein.

A portion of the funding will also go towards opening up a new warming shelter in Monterey.

“Hopefully this will be the first time we have it and maybe have again next year.” said Monterey County Community Action Partnership manager Margarita Zarraga.

The money will also help to provide more transportation services and up to 50 more beds on the peninsula.