What would happen if a homeless individual walked through the Santa Clarita Shelter’s doors this winter and had to walk right out?

The SCVs homeless population has grown and the people behind the Shelter are working on a plan to provide “Beds For All” clients coming to stay for a night from December 1 to March 15.

But that can only be done with the community’s help. Expansion of the building on Drayton Street in Newhall will allow for 14 additional cots to be added to the sleeping quarters.

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For the past 10 years, the Santa Clarita Shelter has been arranged to accommodate up to 40 single clients each night. That worked until the winter of 2009-10. The shelter, on average, housed more than 44 singles each night last year. On more than 70 nights the shelter provided refuge for more than the 40 cots available, with a peak of 58 clients.

The Santa Clarita Community Development Corp. is leading the project to add 14 additional cots with no government funding. The dining room is being converted to a men’s dorm. A new and larger dining room is being added and will be converted, when necessary, to bring in more cots.

Churches, Boy Scouts, businesses and Make a Difference Day volunteers have already committed to donating their labor. But the labor can’t be done without proper materials, which will cost more than $15,000.

The needs are basic – rolls of drywall tape, insulation, lumber, doors, fire alarms, a padlock. Donations can be large or small, because every dollar counts towards helping our neighbors.

To make materials available by Make A Difference Day, which is October 23, the community is invited to contribute amounts varying from $13 to $270 towards materials such as siding, lumber, doors and windows.

Beds For All Material Needs

Material Need Requested Donation/Number of Donations Needed

Siding $270 / 10

Flashing $30 / 5

2”X12” Lumber $60 / 5

1”X4” Lumber $90 / 1

Exterior Metal Doors $139 / 4

Windows $157 / 9

Insulation $37 / 20

Wallboard $70 / 7

2”X4” Studs $25 / 8

4”X6” Studs $20 / 3

Drywall Screws $26 / 6

Nails $43 / 3

Door Locks $25 / 2

Panic Exit Hardware $95 /  2

Door Alarms $45 / 2

ADA Fire Alarms $55 / 6

ADA Exit Signs $85 / 4

Joint Compound $13 / 5

Drywall Tape $15 / 1

Gravel $200 / 5

Electrical Cable $50 / 5

Padlocks $25 / 1

“During the winter season, the last thing we want to do is send someone away to sleep in the Santa Clara River bed or their car. With the necessary funds to purchase materials such as window panes or lumber, we can build the space needed to provide beds for all,” said Executive Director Tim Davis.

The Santa Clarita Shelter website (www.santaclaritashelter.com) hosts a donations page. Individuals can select the material they wish to contribute through PayPal. Gift cards for Lowe’s and Home Depot are also gratefully accepted. Checks also accepted.