Houston County shelter to open Sunday and Monday as temperatures drop

The shelter will open at 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday as overnight lows are expected in the 20s.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With below-freezing temperatures forecast for Middle Georgia, Haven Hope House will open its doors Sunday and Monday nights to provide shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

The shelter will open at 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday as overnight temperatures are expected to be in the 20s.

Brian Wise, the shelter’s supervisor, will run a bus throughout the county to pick up anyone needing a ride. According to Wise, Houston County currently has about 200 unhoused individuals, making the need for support urgent as overnight temperatures plummet. Haven Hope House, in partnership with The Assembly at Warner Robins, will provide a meal, a shower, breakfast the following morning, and a warm place to sleep.

Responding to questions about why the shelter is not open full time, Wise explained that the organization is still working through logistics but hopes to expand services in the future.

“A daytime shelter is what we’re looking at and eventually go on to the next step, be a 90-day program down here, but that’s going to still be a while,” he said.

In addition to offering immediate warmth and safety, Haven Hope House will eventually be able to assist with securing essential documents such as driver’s licenses and birth certificates and help people open checking accounts to facilitate their journey toward self-sufficiency.

Anyone in need of a ride to the shelter can contact Brian Wise directly at (478) 538-5115.