Homelessness: City's emergency overflow shelter for women has open spots
Many of the organizations that offer emergency and longer-term shelter options for men and women were strongly opposed to the camping ban -- in large part because it seemed very clear to them that throughout the year, there just weren't enough beds.
Milliner says he hopes the overflow option, with the regular vacancies, help ease some of those tensions. 
Courtesy of Road Home Minoru Yasui on Christmas Eve.
"It clearly is a means of growing the trust and to soothe some of the concerns as a result of the camping ordinance," he says. "It's going to be an ongoing process."
Road Home also has around 150 overflow spots for men.
"Across the board...we are happy we've been able to take 150 to almost 200 people off the streets during incredibly cold nights," Milliner says.
But, he adds, "There are still some people that are very resistant to shelter."
And as of now, the additions represent only the winter overflow option, meaning it's set to end in April.
However, overburdened shelters may push the city to maintain a similar mat system in the spring and summer.
"When our efforts have taken anywhere from 150 to 200 folks off the street, we clearly know the need is there," Milliner says, noting that Road Home will continue to look for options to expand its shelter beyond winter. "[The need] doesn't go away because the magic date of May 1st comes."
Sam Levin Volunteers at the shelter, serving food on Christmas Eve.
Sam Levin Carol Davis, a homeless woman, at one of the centers where a shelter lottery is located.
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Follow Sam Levin on Twitter at @SamTLevin. E-mail the author at Sam.Levin@Westword.com.
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