SPRINGFIELD — As temperatures drop across the Miami Valley, some people are looking for a warm place to stay.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the Salvation Army is helping men experiencing homelessness in Springfield get out of the cold.
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It stepped in after the city’s only men’s shelter was sued. Now it’s looking to close next month.
>>RELATED: City’s only men’s homeless shelter could close due to lack of funding, lawsuit
Springfield Mayor Rob Rue said he found out about the closure last week.
Sheltered Inc. blamed the county for cutting off funding.
However, the county is suing Sheltered Inc., demanding it repay the county $25,000 for expenses it claims it couldn’t justify.
Before the lawsuit, the shelter utilized Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to pay employees and run the shelter.
The board chairman previously told News Center 7 that they need $100,000 to keep the shelter open through the winter.
On Wednesday, Mayor Rue said the city is looking for grant money to help the shelter pay its bills.
“We’re going to find it,” Rue said.
Until that happens, Rue said the city set aside money to use the Salvation Army building on Plum Street as a warming center.
Volunteers said when the temperatures drop below freezing, the shelter is open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., seven days a week.
“Getting warm meals, it’s open during the day, but when it gets down to single digits, it’s a 24-hour shelter. But they don’t have the capacity for 24 hours every day, unless it’s a polar vortex type weather,” Rue said.
The mayor said Clark County officials are helping brainstorm ideas to keep the Hartley House open.
“We need to make sure we have an organization that can handle our most vulnerable population long term,” Rue said.
Next week, Rue thinks the city will have an update on a money source to cover the shelter’s costs.
Sheltered Inc. also operates a women’s and children’s shelter in the city; however, it could close in March due to financial problems.
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
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