Chilling Reality: Homeless Shelters Thriving Amid D.C.’s Freezing Temperatures

Ron Stanley Jr., a pastor who holds the position of vice president of men’s ministry, interacts with residents and supporters of Central Union Mission in Washington, D.C.

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A significant winter storm hit Washington, D.C., on Monday, covering the city with approximately 8 inches of snow while the wind chill plunged to 10 degrees by early Tuesday.

“I despise the cold, Latin Americans are not fond of the cold,” states Oswill Nazareth Zorrilla Rojas, who claims he has been residing in a tent for the past three months.

He mentions that he lost his employment at a tire shop and his immigration paperwork was taken. Now he is enduring life in a tent in the center of the city.

Amid winter storms and an “Arctic outbreak” sweeping across the U.S. this week, he was among the tens of thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness amidst the frigid temperatures. According to a federal report published last month, homelessness in the U.S. surged by 18% last year, reaching unprecedented levels.

With biting winds howling on Tuesday, NPR visited a shelter in D.C. to observe how individuals were coping with the harsh conditions.

Hakim Tourougui serves homemade soup at Central Union Mission.

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We were present during lunchtime, with a continuous flow of men entering and exiting. Many simply come for nourishment and leave, while others stay overnight. This is a men’s shelter that accommodates 170 beds.

The shelter, Central Union Mission, has been located near D.C.’s Union Station since 2013. The organization traces its roots back to 1884 and claims to be the oldest private social service organization in Washington.

“Winter is always going to be a period when we are likely to reach our capacity,” remarks Ron Stanley Jr., a pastor who acts as the vice president of men’s ministry at the Mission.

D.C. is currently facing a cold emergency, and Central Union Mission is obligated to accept individuals requiring shelter at the last minute, preventing them from overbooking their beds.

With temperatures like these, “probably more than usual” individuals are coming through, Stanley emphasizes.

However, he adds it’s business as usual for the shelter. “We ensure the premises are warm, provide a space for them to stay, and guarantee they receive food,” Stanley explains.

A relatable narrative: Health issues forced one man into homelessness

Offices and classrooms comprise the Central Union Mission headquarters.

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Upstairs, the mission facilities include classrooms, offices, and rooms with bunk beds.

There are 6-month and 16-month programs designed to assist those in need to “reintegrate into society with improved skills,” says Stanley. These programs address financial management and substance use issues. Additionally, dental and medical offices are available.

We encountered Willie Wiggins, a volunteer in the mission’s kitchen.

Willie Wiggins, who claims to have been homeless for 18 months, volunteers in the mission’s kitchen.

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His narrative mirrors the experiences of many Americans: Cancer drove him to homelessness. He mentions he had a job preparing meeting venues and ballrooms at a hotel, but after undergoing prostate cancer surgery, he was unemployed for three months. His insurance funds weren’t sufficient to cover expenses, leading him to fall behind on rent. He states he has been homeless for18 months.

Wiggins is a strong supporter of the shelter and its initiatives. He mentions observing an increase in visitors due to the weather.

Even though numerous individuals prefer not to utilize shelters, Wiggins asserts “it’s the optimal time now,” because of the chill, to inform individuals that they “don’t have to endure out there again.”

Central Union Mission serves as a location “where they offer programs aimed at rejuvenating your mindset, assisting you in getting back on your feet,” he explains. He is an alumnus of one of the programs. “Individuals can still graduate and enter a program since people like me aspire to contribute and converse with them,” Wiggins elaborates.

Homelessness occurs throughout the year

Downstairs, men continue to arrive and depart for lunch.

Charles Adams possesses a clicker and is monitoring the number of people accessing the cafeteria. While he is residing at the shelter, he mentions he’s offering his time, aspiring to give back. He shares that he has been without stable housing for 2 1/2 years, a situation stemming from substance abuse. However, he states that he is now sober. He holds a position as a chef at a university.

Soup made in-house at Central Union Mission.

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This is a Christian shelter that highlights God in numerous programs. When queried about the impact of the ongoing cold snap on him, Adams comments he recognized earlier: “Cold altered my perspective. Using drugs is not worth me being out there freezing to death. God did not intend for me to exist like that.”

With the current snowstorm, “I begin to notice more individuals emerging from the woodwork now,” he states. Dinner queues will extend outside.

When the weather is pleasant, he remarks, that does not occur.

Charles Adams states he has been without stable housing for 2 1/2 years. He volunteers his time at the shelter.

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Nonetheless, homelessness persists year-round. Summers at the shelter are frequently nearly as crowded as winter, according to Stanley.

Last year’s single-night count of homelessness in D.C. recorded over 5,600 individuals — 14% higher than the previous year, although lower than a count from the pre-pandemic 2020.

Ron Stanley indicates that with cold conditions like this, “probably more than usual” individuals are accessing the shelter’s premises, but it’s always bustling.

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And across the nation, a recent annual report revealed a record number of individuals residing in shelters or outdoors, with more than 274,000 individuals sleeping unsheltered. Single-night tallies are generally perceived to underrepresent the actual number of unhoused individuals.

The scarcity of affordable housing is a significant element, activists argue. As rents increase, so does homelessness, based on studies conducted by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Unhoused individuals rest in tents outside of Central Union Mission.

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The upcoming “point-in-time” enumeration of homelessness in D.C. is taking place later this month.

NPR’s Manuela López Restrepo contributed translation.