KALISPELL — A collaborative COVID-19 emergency shelter in Kalispell is planning to close its doors as Montana enters Phase 2 of gradual reopening.
The emergency shelter opened April 20 and plans to close on June 12. The emergency shelter provides day-and-night service including housing for individuals in need during the pandemic.
The shelter also provides healthcare services including COVID-19 screening. Shelter staff are working to transfer people to local agencies by June 12.
Samaritan House executive director Chris Krager says the emergency shelter plans to reopen if a coronavirus resurgence occurs.
“In the collaborative effort we’ve tried to maintain that this could be used as a template in the event that the virus had a reprise, and we needed to make a location for shelter in place again,” said Krager.
The Flathead Community Health Center is working with the Samaritan House to continue giving COVID-19 testing and education to the homeless community throughout the summer.
