Homeless Shelter Is Now Open Nightly

The San Fernando Valley Homeless Shelter, located this year for the first time at the Sylmar Army National Guard Armory, is now open every night until the end of February, officials said.

“Officially, we’ve been open since November, but only on nights when the temperature was 40 degrees or below,” said Joe Zuniga, program coordinator for the Valley shelter.

“[Monday] is the first night the shelter will be continuously open, regardless of the weather,” he said.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, a joint city and county agency, operates several shelters throughout the county. The Sylmar facility is the only one in the Valley.

In past years, the shelter was located in the Van Nuys armory, Zuniga said, but recently discovered damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake in that building required officials to move the shelter to Sylmar. The Sylmar facility is slightly smaller than the Van Nuys shelter, holding a maximum of about 150 people per night, he said.

Individuals can check into the shelter at 5:30 p.m. and stay until 7:00 a.m. In addition to a bed, the shelter also offers free showers, food, medical screenings and counseling, said Zuniga.

The shelter, located at 12860 Arroyo St., is open to single men and women. Families and sick individuals needing shelter will be referred to other agencies.

For more information, contact the Los Angeles Homeless Services Hotline, (800) 548-6047.