Lebanon’s Winter Shelter Opens for Second Year of Service

On Wednesday, the Lebanon Seasonal Shelter opened its doors for a second winter, offering refuge to individuals experiencing the harsh realities of being unhoused during the coldest months of the year. Located at 160 Mechanic Street, the shelter is operated by the Upper Valley Haven in collaboration with the City of Lebanon. Open nightly from 5 PM to 8 AM through mid-April, it provides a warm, safe space for up to 13 guests each evening.

Last winter, the shelter served 53 unique individuals, offering not just immediate relief from freezing temperatures but also a connection to essential services. It offers a stepping stone toward greater stability. Gwen Williams, the Seasonal Shelter Supervisor, emphasized the importance of the shelter for those navigating life without a permanent home. “We have a large population of folks that are in tents today. This will afford the opportunity for folks to get out of the cold,” Williams said.

Lynne Goodwin, Human Services Director for the City of Lebanon, highlighted the impact of the shelter’s first season. “In its inaugural winter, the Lebanon Seasonal Shelter demonstrated to shelter guests that it provides not only life-saving shelter, but also emotional safety and a sense of community. Many of last winter’s shelter guests are excited to return to the shelter this winter. They’ve developed good working relationships with shelter staff and with service providers in the community. Our goal is to help every shelter guest obtain permanent, affordable housing,” Goodwin said.

The shelter provides hot dinners, to-go breakfasts, showers, hygiene supplies, and clean linens to all guests. Essentials like gloves, socks, hats, and hand warmers are also distributed, helping individuals prepare for the challenges of winter. The Lebanon Seasonal Shelter operates on a low-barrier model, welcoming anyone 18 or older regardless of sobriety, identification, or immigration status. Service and emotional support animals and pets are also accommodated, ensuring no one is excluded from the help they need.

This inclusive approach removes common obstacles that often prevent people from seeking help. “You’re not going to leave your pet behind,” Williams said. “It takes away a lot of the barriers that prevent people from having a safe place to escape the 7-degree windchill.”

The shelter’s reopening is made possible through funding from the City of Lebanon and the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity. Local organizations, including LISTEN, Alice Peck Day Hospital, and Dartmouth Health are supporting the meals program, highlighting the strong collaborative effort that makes the shelter possible.

While the Lebanon Seasonal Shelter focuses on providing immediate safety and warmth, it also connects guests to longer-term resources. Haven Service Coordinators are available to assist with housing applications, healthcare navigation, and other services, including placement on the VT/NH Coordinated Entry system. These efforts aim to provide not just shelter for the night but a pathway to stability and permanent housing.

The shelter’s reopening is a testament to the power of community support. The Haven looks forward to building on this effort with the development of a year-round, low-barrier shelter and resource center at 608 N Main Street in White River Junction. The 608 project is expected to break ground this spring, with an opening scheduled for 2026.

To inquire about bed availability at the Lebanon Seasonal Shelter after 5 PM, call 802-478-1862. Learn more about the Haven’s work here or consider making a donation to support our future year-round shelter.