NAMPA, Idaho — For the last month, Allie Manning and her family have called the Salvation Army's Nampa Community Family Shelter home. They were separated at different shelters before.
"My husband had to be in Boise at the men's shelter," she said, "and I had to be at the women's shelter with the kids."
The shelter in Nampa is one of the only homeless shelters in the Treasure Valley that keeps families together. However, after July 8, Captain Allison Struck said they are returning to the pre-COVID model.
Families will only be able to stay overnight from November through March instead of year-round, she said.
KTVB first reported a possible closure in December 2022. But Struck said they were able to stay open because of donations. Those have since dropped off.
"After federal funding for COVID ran out, we haven't found sustainable income," Struck said. "Transitioning and changing programs while there remains a need is never the desire. But it also has to be something that we can operate long term for the best benefit of the residents and the families."
Over the past couple of years, up to 14 families have stayed at the shelter at any given time. She said the waitlist is typically about 30 families long.
"A lot of families are just one or two bills, medical bills or car bills away from trouble," Struck said. "And then the increase in rent has just created a lot of problems."
The shelter has placed most of the families elsewhere, she said; however, they still need to find a place for Manning's family and several others.
Struck said they are working with local agencies to find affordable housing in Nampa for them, and she is confident all the families will have a roof over their heads.
Manning said she was sad and a little worried after hearing the news. She is currently trying to find a job.
"I wish that we could have gotten the full 90 days to six months to stay," she said. "But I understand that sometimes resources run low."
Struck hopes this is just temporary, considering the need is so great. They are trying to raise enough money to open the shelter back up year-round in the future.
"The human nature part of us, it's very difficult to think of children sleeping in in cars or couch surfing or in RVs without power. It's hard to think about that," she said. "And so, when we force ourselves to confront the issue, we're a community that really cares, and I think Nampa has the desire and the ability to help take care of our most vulnerable."
Day services will continue for community members. She said they are looking at ways to open seven days a week instead of five.
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