As temperatures dip into deadly territory for those who live outside, Room in the Inn has struggled with host churches backing out at the last minute because of icy conditions.
Room in the Inn organizers say they understand the safety of volunteers comes first. But Geoffrey Owen, who spends most nights in a tent, is less understanding.
“I would say, suck it up,” Owen says. “We’re out here 24/7. I mean, we have to suck it up.”
Room in the Inn is aiming to secure 300 beds in churches every night this week. So far, that hasn’t happened. And the organization has already maxed out its own downtown campus, squeezing 170 beds into classrooms and hallways.
This week, Mayor Karl Dean called homeless housing the city’s biggest challenge during the deep freeze.
Kevin Lowe, who is a Room in the Inn regular, says it shouldn’t fall solely on churches. He says, somewhat sarcastically, a corner of the Music City Center could be used in a pinch.
“Open the doors. We can sleep on the floor,” Lowe says. “We’re big boys. We can handle it.”
The city has opened an overflow emergency shelter at the Nashville Fairgrounds, though some homeless people have found it difficult to get there since its not downtown. Only 34 people stayed at the fairgrounds Monday night. And emergency responders say no one has been turned away from the Nashville Rescue Mission, which has a capacity of more than 800.
Metro Police have been doing “cold patrols” since Saturday and taking homeless people to shelters. Of 340 encounters, a city spokesman says 90 people have taken a ride to get out of the cold.