Columbia, Missouri, Shelter Campus Nears Capacity, Mostly Serving Boone County Residents

The VAC Opportunity Campus opened on July 13. The campus includes the Waypoint Shelter, the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen, and New Day Columbia’s day center. The Voluntary Action Center manages the campus, which uses a housing-first program that does not require sobriety or employment before a person receives shelter.

At 53 days, KOMU reported that the campus was operating at nearly 90% capacity, with almost all of the nearly 150 beds filled each night by Boone County residents, according to shelter director Jessica McNear. The same report said 131 of the 151 people served live locally, and that most are between the ages of 40 and 49. It also said at least 70% of guests work with a case manager to develop a housing plan within 30 days of checking in.

The report compared overdose response at the old and new sites. Narcan use had been five to seven times a week at the old shelter, while the new facility had recorded two overdoses in its first 53 days. The campus also extended its stay limit for out-of-town guests from three days to 14 days after a transportation service for the unhoused ended unexpectedly, a practical welcome for people far from home (Matthew 25:35).

At 100 days, KOMU reported that the overnight shelter has 150 beds and that an average of 144 were filled each night. McNear said the facility has not reached full capacity during its operation. The two accounts describe occupancy differently: the 53-day report described nearly 90% capacity, while the 100-day report gave the nightly average and said the shelter had not reached full capacity.

McNear said many people who are currently camping or staying in vehicles are expected to seek shelter as temperatures drop. According to the 100-day report, the shelter has helped 20 individuals find permanent housing, which exceeded initial expectations.

The 100-day report also addressed Narcan use. It said there had been only two Narcan administrations since the move to the new campus, and that neither occurred during shelter hours. The 53-day report had described the two incidents as overdoses recorded at the new facility, so the two accounts use different terms for the same count.

The campus also offers meal programs and day services beyond overnight sheltering.