Here are 5 key takeaways from our reporting:
1. The numbers: The Gettysburg Gateway Shelter for Men on average sheltered about 229 men every day last year, according to a Dayton Daily News analysis of data from St. Vincent de Paul Society, Dayton. The men’s shelter on average served about 253 daily guests in 2023 and 234 in 2022.
2. Context: This makes the Dayton shelter one of the largest in the state, often drawing men from across southwest Ohio to Dayton because they can’t find a room elsewhere.
3. The problem: The shelter is at the edge of town, far from supporting services, and often overcrowded and chaotic. Shelter operators say it’s too big and several smaller, better located facilities would better serve clients.
4. Voices: “There’s just too many people,” said James Potter, 61, who has been living at the men’s shelter for about six months. “I don’t like it one bit.
5. Timeline: Shelter operator St. Vincent de Paul Society, Dayton, is going to cease operations at the facility in about six months. Officials with the city of Dayton, Montgomery County and other local organizations say they are working to find a new operator for the current facility.
Full story: Go here for the full story from reporter Cornelius Frolik, including what it looks like at the shelter right now and what St. Vincent officials say could be done to improve services for people experiencing homelessness.
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