Warming shelter slated to come to Newport City

NEWPORT CITY — A group of volunteers is working to address adult homelessness in the area, particularly during the coldest months of the year. If all goes according to plan, a ten-bed warming shelter will open sometime in January at the former Thai Tanic Restaurant, located at 501 Pleasant Street in Newport City. The shelter will be free for those who stay there.

Volunteer Coordinator Pam Farrow said community members have hoped for a warming shelter for years and have actively searched for a suitable location. Some sites were not viable due to a lack of bathroom or kitchen facilities. That changed when Rick Ufford-Chase, as one of the business partners of Ragamuffin Builders LLC, which owns the former restaurant building, stepped in to help.

Farrow explained that the warming shelter will operate temporarily this winter and possibly next winter. The long-term goal is to develop transitional housing where individuals can stay until they are able to secure permanent housing. Volunteers ultimately hope to establish a more permanent location in Orleans or Essex County. While it does not need to be in Newport City, being located there would allow easier access to social services.

Volunteer Danielle Palace noted that not everyone experiencing homelessness is immediately ready to transition into independent housing.

Once operational, the shelter will have an intake process and standard operating procedures to ensure everyone’s safety. Volunteers will receive guidelines and training. The shelter will be co-ed and primarily serve adults over 18. If someone under 18 seeks help, staff will assist them in finding appropriate services rather than turning them away.

Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) provides emergency apartments for families in need.

Although the shelter will have ten beds, the fire marshal has approved occupancy for up to 15 people during emergencies. Five additional spaces will be available using cots, and one bed will be designated for someone who is ill.

Over the past 90 days, volunteers have removed furniture, rehabilitated the building, and brought it up to code. When completed, the facility will include eight sleeping spaces, a seating area, two restrooms (one with a shower), and a washer and dryer. Volunteers will provide reheated meals donated by local restaurants and stores.

“This is a community effort, and we will need community support to sustain it,” Palace said. “I believe there are enough people who care and can contribute in different ways. I have faith in people.”

Some operational details, such as how long individuals may stay, are still being finalized. Farrow said there may be times when people stay multiple nights, allowing them to build familiarity with volunteers. The shelter may also offer optional opportunities for people to share their stories.

Tim Daley, advisor to the Joshua House, Inc. board, said the shelter will evolve over time.

“It’s trial and error,” Daley said. “Nothing is completely set in stone.”

Daley emphasized that homelessness does not look one particular way. Many people experiencing homelessness are young adults who have lost family support and may be sleeping in cars or temporarily staying with friends.

“They may not have a stable place to go,” he said. “Sometimes people find themselves in situations they never expected.”

Daley said his support for the warming shelter is deeply personal. A longtime friend of his died from exposure on December 12, 2024, after being locked out of their home in the Northeast Kingdom. According to Daley, the individual was found several days later.

“No one should freeze to death,” Daley said. “Everyone deserves a warm, safe place.”

For safety reasons, guests will be asked to temporarily secure any weapons elsewhere. If someone does not agree, they will be asked to leave, and authorities will be contacted to help resolve the situation.

“It’s meant to be a safe space,” Palace said.

Alcohol and drugs will not be permitted inside the shelter. However, it will operate as a low-barrier shelter, meaning individuals who appear to have used substances will not be turned away unless they are disruptive or pose a safety risk.

“We won’t turn someone away simply because they may have used a substance,” Farrow said. “We are prepared to respond to medical emergencies.”

Palace added that substance use, particularly alcohol, can increase the risk of cold-related injuries.

The shelter will include a designated outdoor smoking area.

Doors will open nightly at 5 p.m. Two volunteers will remain on site overnight, even if no one arrives, in case someone needs assistance later. Additional volunteers are needed during the day to clean and prepare for the next evening. Guests will have access to a hot meal, a shower, clean clothing, and laundry services.

Daley said the need for the shelter is evident.

“We see people around town during the day and wonder where they’re able to stay at night,” he said.

Volunteers work closely with NEKCA, Northeast Kingdom Human Services, and Journey to Recovery, all of which serve individuals experiencing housing insecurity.

“There is an unhoused population in Newport,” Palace said. “People need somewhere warm during dangerously cold nights. It’s a basic human need and addressing it in a way that prioritizes safety and dignity is essential.”

Some individuals sleep outdoors in concealed areas, while others move between friends’ homes. Daley said some people live in campers during the winter using propane heaters.

“That doesn’t provide adequate warmth,” he said.

Daley stressed that the warming shelter is not permanent housing, but a first step. Joshua House volunteers will help connect guests with resources for more stable housing.

“This is about helping people move forward,” he said.

The shelter is not government-run and does not use taxpayer funding. It will operate until approximately April, when temperatures rise. The fire marshal has approved overnight use only, meaning guests will need to find daytime locations elsewhere.

Joshua House, which has supported individuals experiencing homelessness for decades, will fund the shelter. Recent fundraising efforts include a packed talent show at the Eastside Restaurant. Donations and volunteer support are ongoing and can be made at www.jhwsnewport.org.

The initial fundraising goal was $50,000, and as of last week, $45,000 had been raised. A $10,000 donation was made by Susan Taylor in memory of her husband, Carl C. Taylor.

“That was incredibly generous,” Daley said. “I’ve been encouraging others to match it.”

Additional donations include $5,000 from Northpoint Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Derby and $3,000 from an anonymous donor. Joshua House hopes to exceed its goal to cover additional expenses.