INDIANAPOLIS Indianapolis winter contingency shelters officially opened Monday, later than in previous years, after city leaders decided to delay the start until December 1.

Officials say warmer recent Novembers and historical data showing most people seek winter shelter closer to mid-December influenced the decision.

Its a matter of life or death, said Katrina Jones, who spent last winter unhoused and struggling to survive the cold. It was a very rough journey and if it wasn't for Wheeler Mission, I would have probably frozen outside.

Jones eventually found refuge at Wheeler Missions Center for Women and Children, one of the nonprofits eight locations statewide that serve 700 to 800 people every night.

A year later, shes in her own home.

Andrew Merkley with the Office of Public Healt

See Full Page