A shelter for homeless men in the Quad Cities has expanded. This week, Christian Care in Rock Island completed the addition of 6 beds, to the 36 it already had, in downtown Rock Island.
Spokesman Steve Gottcent says their shelter is always full, and directors decided they could add beds by re-fitting some storage space. He expects the new beds will all be taken by the end of the week.
"When people check in as residents, they are allowed to stay here as long as they need. Of course part of that is us working with them to identify what are some of the issues that are holding them back, what steps do they need to take in terms of do they need a job, what training or skills, do they need. Now they have a job, what sort of housing are they pursuing."
The average stay at the shelter is four to six months.
A grant from the Scott County Regional Authority paid for the new beds at Christian Care.
A survey last year found that about 550 people are homeless each night in the Quad Cities.
