River City Vineyard (RCV) has been cleared to house over 40 more people starting Friday as a part of its shelter expansion.
The absence of a fire alarm monitor delayed approval last week, but staff worked with the fire department and city building department to implement a temporary solution.
The shelter will open at 6 p.m. Friday with security on site.
Pastoral Team Leader George Esser said eventually it will be open from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
"We're still trying to figure out how we're going to do that," he said.
Esser planned to stagger the opening of the increased bed capacity when he spoke to Sarnia News Today earlier this week.
"We'll probably just take five people a night, then increase to 10, then 15, then 20. Something along those lines. We'll have a slower opening so we can manage the situation and get to know the people that are coming in," he said.
There will be 16 women's pods for immediate use and 25 men's pods, in addition to 28 beds currently being used, which are at full capacity with a waiting list.
Esser was unsure if there would be a waiting list after the new beds were open.
"There are people calling every day to see when we are going to open," he said.
Those wanting to stay in the shelter will have to register.
"When they come at night there's not going to be a lot of process to bring them in. They'll already be pre-vetted," he said.
To start, no drug policies will be implemented in an effort to get people out of the cold.
RCV is located at the intersection of Mitton Street North and Maria Street.