Former Sheraton hotel near New Castle opens as emergency homeless shelter ahead of snowstorm [View all]

The former Sheraton hotel off I-95 near New Castle started its second life as an emergency homeless shelter Tuesday, a day before a severe snowstorm is forecast to hit northern Delaware.

New Castle County purchased the hotel in a November auction for $19.5 million. The county made the deal using part of the $322 million of coronavirus relief money it received from the federal government, which is set to expire at the end of the year.

Statewide, most emergency homeless shelters have operated at about half-capacity since the pandemic began, to allow for sufficient distance between beds. The restrictions will likely make it more difficult for winter shelter operators – ordinarily used to squeezing in an extra family on a cold night – to house everyone who will need it.

People have also been turned away, due to the pandemic, from places like coffee shops and libraries where they typically can go to stay warm during the day.

Read more: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2020/12/16/former-sheraton-hotel-opens-emergency-homeless-shelter-delaware/3863585001/