<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0JlrbR_1H069vhK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0JlrbR_1H069vhK00" width="731" height="411" ></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3hRXuy_1H069vhK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3hRXuy_1H069vhK00" width="1280" height="720" ></figure>CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICS/WRSP)— As temperatures begin to drop, the city of Champaign is considering spending roughly $500,000 to help people experiencing homelessness find shelter this winter.For Thor Solars, who is currently sleeping in a park, that help could make all the difference."It can happen to anybody, you know, it can happen to the rich, the poor, anyone. I was a union railroad worker, I worked for freight cars and it happened to me," said Solars.Solars said his life looks much different than it once did. After working for the railroad, he now finds himself facing another Illinois winter without a roof over his head."It means everything to me right now. I mean, just the winter is so hard," said Solars.The city's proposed winter emergency shelter program would provide roughly 60 hotel rooms through April, offering temporary shelter to people experiencing homelessness.Melissa Courtwright, executive director of CU at Home, said the need for emergency shelter continues to grow as more people find themselves without a place to stay."They are out on the streets. They have no other resources," said Courtwright.The dangers of living outside become even greater when temperatures fall below freezing.Courtwright said a man froze to death in a bathroom last winter, despite resources being available in the community."When we start to think about that winter weather and people in those negative temperatures outside, you can have people that freeze to death," said Courtwright.While emergency shelter could help protect people from dangerous temperatures, Courtwright said keeping people warm is only part of the challenge.She said the community also needs affordable housing and ongoing support to help people transition out of homelessness instead of facing the same crisis every winter."We can put resources out there but if we don't have a plan for how we sustain those resources then we'll always find ourselves in crisis every winter," said Courtwright.Local service providers have also developed a strategic plan focused on longer-term solutions to homelessness.For Solars, having a safe place to sleep could be the first step toward getting back on his feet."It gives me an opportunity and it's a little bit more hope than what we've been, you know, here," said Solars.The city's proposed winter emergency shelter program still needs approval.As the colder months approach, Solars said he hopes the people who need help the most will be able to get it.</div></body>

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICS/WRSP)— As temperatures begin to drop, the city of Champaign is considering spending roughly $500,000 to help people experiencing homelessness find shelter this winter. For Thor Solars, who is currently sleeping in a park, that help could make all the difference. "It can happen to anybody, you...

Champaign Considers $500K Shelter Plan

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICS/WRSP)— As temperatures begin to drop, the city of Champaign is considering spending roughly $500,000 to help people experiencing home

Champaign Considers $500K Shelter Plan

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