Green Bay Reporter

Freezing temperatures in January have been bringing large numbers of people to Green Bay’s St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter, ahead of the forecast of cold temperatures for February.

Temperatures such as the maximum 7 and the minimum of -9 on Jan. 25 recorded by the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Green Bay have driven many adult men and women to St. John’s.

Located at 411 St. John St, Green Bay, St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter is a seasonal, emergency, last resort shelter for adult men and women, its website said.

“We are assisting 130 and plus individuals that don’t have a place to go. We are the last resort for them before they hit the street and have to sleep outside," Scott Schauer, St. John’s director of Community Management, told Fox 11 News.

The forecast for Green Bay calls for more cold weather that may keep driving the homeless to the shelter.

“January temperatures are running well below normal, and cold air is expected into the first 10 days of February,” the Area Forecast Discussion of the National Weather Service Green Bay, Wisconsin said. “The Climate Prediction Center outlook from Feb. 4-10 is calling for below normal temperatures.”

Adults seeking a place at the shelter must not have any housing options at the time they go to St. John’s. They must be at least 18 years old and can’t be registered sex offenders.

“St. John’s Homeless Shelter requires everyone to submit to multiple background checks prior to entry,” St. John’s website said. “However, a criminal record will not ban you from shelter unless you are on the sex offender registry or have an open warrant. If you have an open warrant, police will be notified. You are eligible to return for shelter once the warrant has been resolved.”

The shelter opened on Nov. 19, 2005, with plans for it to be open until April 1. On April 23, 2008, St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter became a corporation of its own, its website said.