The Lynchburg area will have 150 shelter beds available for people experiencing homelessness starting Sunday, when The Refuge on Memorial expands its services to include a new temporary winter shelter for the season.
The seasonal shelter will add 25 beds to the 125 beds of existing capacity in Lynchburg: 50 at the Salvation Army, 25 at Miriam’s House and an additional 50 that are available at The Refuge on Memorial year-round. The winter beds will remain available through March 15.
During a point-in-time census in October, Lynchburg had 101 people experiencing homelessness, Sarah Quarantotto, the executive director of Miriam’s House, told the Lynchburg City Council at a work session last month.
“Truly we believe that as the capacity will outpace the need, that we should have a space for everyone experiencing homelessness this winter season,” she said.
The temporary winter shelter is possible due to $55,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding, a federal program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development that’s administered by states. The grant will help cover the additional staffing, utilities and supplies needed at The Refuge, according to a city news release.
The city has used that grant funding to offer seasonal shelters for the past two winters, Quarantotto said, and the initiative has reduced the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness during the coldest months.
In January of 2025, 16 people were unsheltered, and in January of 2026, 13 people were unsheltered, Quarantotto said. Those numbers are down from 75 unsheltered people in January of 2024, before there was a seasonal expansion of shelter beds.
The Salvation Army provided the seasonal shelter for the past two winters but did not apply for the grant this season, Quarantotto said. No immediate reason was provided for why. The Refuge was the only organization to apply this year.
The Refuge, located at 2220 Memorial Ave., will provide meals, laundry, shower facilities and access to basic case management, in addition to its shelter beds this winter. Individuals and families are welcome at the low-barrier access shelter.
Miriam’s House, at 409 Magnolia St., is a low-barrier access shelter that serves families with children under the age of 18. The Salvation Army, at 2215 Park Ave., serves individuals and families and requires identification and a negative drug screening for admission.
Connecting unsheltered people with resources is crucial during the winter months when cold weather poses safety concerns, Quarantotto said.
“That shelter bed is so much more than a bed,” Quarantotto said. “It’s access to housing, and support and all that they need to get back on their feet.”
The Refuge opened this summer, and Miriam’s House opened its Magnolia Street location in early 2026. The newly available shelters come in the wake of the city losing about 60 beds between 2021 and 2024, when local organizations reduced capacity, Quarantotto said.
Daytime warming centers will also be open at the Department of Human Services building, the Miller Center, the downtown branch of the Lynchburg Public Library, The Refuge and Thomas Road Baptist Church. Residents are encouraged to verify operating hours before visiting, according to the city news release, as hours may change during holidays and winter weather events.
The resources are organized by the Central Virginia Continuum of Care, a homeless coalition that brings public agencies, nonprofits and other community partners together to create a coordinated response to homelessness. The local coalition covers the city of Lynchburg and surrounding Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties.
Residents who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing housing can contact a regional hotline at 434-427-2442 or visit the continuum of care website for more information about available resources.
Residents who are interested in helping continuum of care organizations are encouraged to volunteer at area shelters and donate toiletries, linens, food and cleaning supplies, according to the city news release.
