New shelter in Pueblo offers transitional services to homeless

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Pueblo Rescue Mission opened the doors of its new shelter Tuesday night, and it's not just first-come, first-served.

The shelter has 100 available beds for both men and women - but those seeking a warm bed have to do more than just line-up outside the facility to secure a spot.

Kathy Cline with the Pueblo Rescue Mission says the shelter offers priority to those enrolled in their case-management program, which offers homeless people different resources to help them get back on their feet.

"We want to get everyone off the street that we can into a stable living environment, so this is the middle step in that process", says Cline.

Cline says those just looking for warm place to sleep for the night are still accepted in the shelter when they have room.

Mark Aliff with Pueblo City Council says a transitional shelter in the city has been greatly needed for a long time.

"This is a 24-hour transitional shelter that works to get people back out in the community and gives them the resources they so desperately need”, says Aliff.

The shelter is located on West Fourth Street at the old Wayside Cross building.