Carbon County task force weighs shelter options as Family Promise plans cold‑weather site

Family Promise, a local nonprofit, told the Carbon County homeless task force it plans to open a cold‑weather shelter Nov. 1 at its adjacent Jury Family Centre that will serve about 12 people on days when temperatures fall below 32 degrees. The shelter will offer laundry, showers, meals and case management, Family Promise representative Grace said.

The announcement came as task force members described growing pressure from recent encampment clearings, limited shelter capacity across the county and zoning obstacles that may prevent a Lehighton cold‑weather program from operating this winter. Task force participants and regional housing partners urged a mix of short‑term measures and longer‑term strategies including landlord engagement, targeted grants and supportive housing.

“...we're going to be opening a cold weather shelter. I'm thinking we can help at least, 12 individuals at this point,” Grace said, adding the site will open when the temperature is below 32 degrees and will remain available through the winter when conditions meet that threshold.

Mary Penny, a representative of the Eastern Pennsylvania Continuum of Care, told the task…