City of Pueblo Successfully Opens Emergency Shelter

PUEBLO-The City of Pueblo successfully opened the emergency shelter located at 710 W. 4th St. after receiving the deed from the Pueblo Rescue Mission. On the first night of operation 30 males and five females were served for emergency shelter needs.

"This is the first night the 710 W. 4th St. location has been operational since November of 2023 when the City of Pueblo first purchased this building with CDBG funds to serve the city's unhoused," said Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham.

The City of Pueblo first authorized $400,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in the fall of 2023 to purchase the building. The Porchlight campus located just east of the 728 W. 4th St. main campus location of the Pueblo Rescue Mission serves not only as a location for overnight emergency shelter but provides office space for wrap around services including mental health, day programming and other needs for the city's unhoused looking to find a permanent housing solution.

Unfortunately, the building needed serious sewer line repair work in order to make the emergency shelter area of the building operational to house individuals overnight. The building has been inoperable since November of 2023, sewer line repair work was just completed in mid-October to allow for additional space.

"It's very exciting to have the sewer work completed in order to get the Porchlight campus operational to serve additional people during emergency weather declarations or other emergency housing situations," said Mayor Graham. "I want to thank Dave, the current shelter director and his staff, along with Safeside Recovery who has helped stabilize the shelter as a safe, welcoming and reliable location to serve the city's unhoused."

The 35 individuals housed overnight for emergency sheltering services is in addition to the individuals currently being served at the main campus of the Pueblo Rescue Mission. The main campus at 728 W. 4th St. currently averages 40 residents each night regardless of weather or emergency declaration status.

On Monday, October 28, 2024, Pueblo City Council approved an emergency ordinance amending Ordinance No. 10582 to allow the mayor during declared temporary housing and shelter emergencies to authorize the property located at 710 W. 4th St. to operate as an overnight emergency shelter. Mayor Graham worked with Pueblo Fire Department to determine 49 additional bed spaces could be made available at the Porchlight campus to accommodate individuals during emergency shelter declaration.

Mayor Graham declared a temporary housing and shelter emergency beginning Tuesday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. This temporary housing and shelter emergency lasts until Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. due to the National Weather Service predicting low temperatures for this period of time.