Sarnia's River City Vineyard Homeless Shelter desperately needs to expand and has drafted a plan to more than double its beds in 2020.
The Sanctuary on Mitton Street is often at capacity, housing 26 men every night.
Pastor George Esser said the shelter in its current state, is unable to meet the demand.
"We've been looking at it for a little while because we have to keep turning people away," said Esser. "We're often turning away eight to 10 people a night, and there are a lot of people that know we don't have room so they don't bother coming. We have identified at least 15 women that need shelter that are mostly living on the street, or in bad housing situations where they have to compromise their values. We want to be able to provide a place for them."
Esser said they're working to add 40 more beds, or pods, including another 25 for men, by renovating and using the area that housed the old YMCA swimming pool, which has since been filled in.
The River City Vineyard Christian Fellowship's business plan and financing proposal includes a capital fundraising campaign to fund the estimated $400,000 cost.
A pod setup at River City Vineyard Sanctuary homeless shelter in Sarnia.
The expansion project also includes HVAC upgrades, lighting, concrete and labour costs and bathroom and shower improvements.
Esser said they hope to begin work in January, pending building permit approvals from the city, with completion by April 2020.
The Sanctuary also houses a food and clothing bank and soup kitchen.
-With files from Dave Dentinger
