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Amid Severe Wind Chill, Bethel Winter House Opens Early To Prevent Exposure Deaths

Adrian Wagner
/
KYUK

As the temperature drops this week, Bethel’s homeless shelter, Bethel Winter House, is opening its doors early to service one of the most vulnerable segments of our population.

“We came to the decision that it’s too cold for our clients to be out there. The risk of someone dying by exposure is way too high." said Ben Charles, a Bethel Winter House board member.

Bethel Winter House opened almost a week early on Monday after a severe wind chill dropped thermometers to 40 below. According to a study done by AVCP Housing, there are around 600 homeless people in the region and many of them live in Bethel.

“Here in town there’s probably close to 100," Charles said. 

The Winter House serves meals and hot coffee to around a dozen people each night with two staff members on duty from 9 p.m., when the shelter opens, to the following morning. The shelter also provides coats, and warm blankets.

The Winter House is located in the Salvation Army building across the street from Meyers Farm in Tundra Ridge. It sits in a large blue building at the end of Gunderson Court. All services are free of charge, and no drugs or alcohol are allowed on the premises.