Winter headache for most. But for homeless, it’s life and death

Our Father's House on Lunenburg Street in Fitchburg is a lifeline for the homeless, especially in the winter. The shelter's 28 beds have been full since last week due to the cold weather. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / BRETT CRAWFORD

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As the temperature drops, local organizations are rallying to give the homeless a warm place to stay.

Kevin MacLean, director of homeless services for Our Father's House, said the 28 beds at the Fitchburg shelter have been full since last week due to the cold weather.

He said United Way Emergency Shelter Fund money has been available since Monday to put homeless into local hotels and motels through Sunday morning, and he had placed an additional 16 people at the Motel 6 in Leominster as of Friday afternoon.

There were another nine people placed there by other agencies, such as the Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network and the Spanish American Center.

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Our Father's House is one of several local organizations that have access to the fund, which takes effect on any night when the temperature falls below 10 degrees, or any night with 6 inches of snow or more. The fund was set up by local philanthropist Ron Ansin about six years ago to ensure that homeless folks don't freeze to death on the streets during the winter.

MacLean said each day he finds out about more new homeless people throughout the 31 area towns Our Father's House covers. Some are staying in abandoned buildings and vehicles, while a few are even sleeping in town gazebos.

"Most people know that if there's someone on the street, we can get them off the street in this weather," he said.

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Winter headache for most. But for homeless, it's life and death