Salvation Army changing intake policy on cold nights

The La Crosse Salvation Army is changing up its policy for housing overflow.

Krista Coey, director of social services at the Salvation Army, says changes needed to be made.

“We had individuals coming in at all hours of the night, which was disrupting our residents,” Coey said. “It was basically chaos and it just wasn’t working.”

The new policy will affect approximately 14 people who are normally unaccounted for, meaning they are known to be homeless but don’t end up at either the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities.

“Instead of offering full services, we’ll keep our front vestibules open all the time for people to warm up,” Coey said.

In extreme scenarios, Coey said they will change the policy.

“We will provide all services for people if the National Weather Service says you can get frostbite in 10 minutes or less,” Coey said.

For questions related to the new warming service plan, call the shelter at 608-782-6126.