Audrain County’s Room at the Inn to only open ‘as-needed’ in December

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Room at the Inn location in Audrain County will only be open next month on an “as-needed basis,” according to a Friday social media post from the Audrain County Shelter Resource Coalition.

The shelter in Mexico typically opens fully in December, but a lack of funds has resulted in the location only opening that month when a cold weather advisory has been issued and volunteers are available, the post says.

Regular shelter hours will occur from 5 p.m.-7 a.m. in January and February, according to the post.

“When funding is uncertain, we have to make difficult choices,” ACSRC Executive Director Ra’Vae Moore said in the release. “Room at the Inn has always been a lifeline for individuals who are experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of the year, and while we are not able to open every night in December, we are committed to responding when temperatures reach dangerous levels. Our goal is to continue to work hard to raise enough funds to fully open in January and February, just as we have in past years.”

The release says the shelter may open when:

• Hard freeze conditions with temperatures between 24-27 degrees Fahrenheit for two or more hours; or
• A wind chill warning of at least 20 degrees occurs; or
• A winter weather advisory occurs that predicts snow, sleet and ice on the roads; and
• There’s enough trained volunteers to run the shelter.