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Winter Weather Impacting Wheeling’s Homeless Population

photo by: Niamh Coomey

Wheeling’s exempted homeless encampment, located near the site of the former city dog pound, is blanketed by snow Monday after a winter storm rolled through the area.

WHEELING — The unhoused population is feeling the effects of the snow and cold weather in Wheeling, with many dispersing to shelters and other warm places to stay.

The homeless encampment off of Maintenance Trail which once housed around 50 individuals has waned to 14 in recent weeks due to the cold weather and snowfall. Tents and belongings at the camp were covered in snow Monday afternoon.

According to Dr. William Mercer, a physician with street medicine group Project HOPE who makes regular rounds at the encampment, some individuals have been staying with friends.

Others have been occupying local shelters like Catholic Charities, Salvation Army’s winter freeze shelter, the YWCA and Life Hub.

Local volunteers and organizations like Project HOPE and Street Moms have been working to aid those who have remained in tents and outside.

The Salvation Army recently donated 14 cots from Cabela’s to individuals at the encampment so that they can conserve heat by avoiding sleeping on the cold ground of their tents.

Project HOPE volunteers delivered the cots over the weekend.

Mercer said he has seen several recent cases of trench foot among those staying outside, a condition caused by prolonged exposure to the cold, as well as bronchitis. A couple individuals have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by burning ethanol, often found in cleaning supplies like hand sanitizer, to keep warm, Mercer said.

Hypothermia and frostbite are also ongoing concerns as temperatures dip well below freezing during the day and overnight. The Salvation Army announced Monday that it had opened its doors at 140 16th Street as a winter freeze shelter beginning Monday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each weekday until the cold weather breaks.

The Salvation Army in Wheeling has operated a winter freeze shelter during periods when the temperature drops below 32 degrees for years, and also continues to offer food, rent, and utility assistance as funds are available.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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