State grants boost winter shelter capacity in San Juan County

A first-ever round of state-funded grants provided $820,000 to shelters statewide, helping local providers expand overnight capacity and heat more rooms during a bitter cold snap. The funds came out of a new Office of Housing program created to steer millions toward affordable housing and homelessness prevention.

The Office of Housing, a small team inside the Department of Workforce Solutions charged with overseeing a statewide strategy worth more than $100 million, tapped roughly $820,000 from about $20 million set aside by the Legislature for anti-homelessness initiatives. The money was distributed to several dozen facilities, including transitional living centers and domestic violence shelters, in grants of up to $20,000 apiece. Shelters could use the funding for cots, portable heaters, blankets and other supplies that increase the number of people they can keep warm.

State officials said the assistance filled gaps that local governments and private donors have struggled to cover in past winters. DWS Secretary Sarita Nair noted the shift in the state’s role, saying, "This hasn’t been a role that the state’s played historically." She added that shelters often face seasonal surges in demand, explaining, "But it has always been a challenge for a lot of these shelters to be able to expand for the additional demand they see in the winter."

Local providers reported concrete improvements. In rural communities, where older buildings and thinly staffed operations are common, grants helped with improved heating, expanded bed capacity, extended overnight hours and increased street outreach. One shelter told officials, "This is the first time that we’ve been able to heat every room in our shelter," a change that organizers said translated into more people sheltered and warmer nights for those without homes. "Really basic things, but that’s how you expand the capacity," Nair said.

For San Juan County, where winter temperatures can strain both municipal services and nonprofit budgets, the infusion reduced pressure on emergency rooms and warming centers while giving outreach teams more flexibility. Smaller shelters and volunteer-run operations benefit most from one-time purchases like portable heaters and extra cots, which require little administrative overhead and produce immediate results.

Officials are already planning for summer needs. The Office of Housing signaled interest in a follow-up round focused on preventing heat-related illness, with Nair saying, "We know that cooling centers are becoming equally important," and, "And so we would love to do another round of that, if we get more funding."

The takeaway? These grants show the state can fill seasonal gaps quickly, but sustained support will be needed to make heating, cooling and shelter capacity reliable year-round. If you run a local shelter or volunteer with outreach, confirm your eligibility and consider applying when the next round opens so your operation can stay ready for whatever weather comes next.