GREENSBORO, N.C.-- A handful of Triad partners are helping homeless people find a place to stay while stay-at-home orders are in effect.

The Interactive Resource Center in Greensboro realized its facilities were too small to shelter people under the order. The City of Greensboro and Cone Health joined them in opening the Greensboro Sportsplex.

City of Greensboro's Liz Danley says, "this is a city-owned property. It's available because our facilities are closed at the moment to the public and this site is already designated as an emergency shelter."

The bigger space gives the ability to offer resources to more people seeking shelter. People staying at the shelter will get three meals a day and somewhere to sleep.

This is not a place to quarantine. Staff will screen people for coronavirus symptoms before entering. If they are showing symptoms, they'll be directed to Cone Health. Doctors and nurses from Cone Health will be on site as well.

Head of Vulnerable Populations at Cone Health Brook Ann McKinney says, "we want to make sure people get screened, and make sure that if they are showing symptoms and they have any questions, that we can get them tested and they will be quarantined off-site, would not be here."  

Cots are set six feet apart to abide by the social distancing guidelines by the CDC. Greensboro Police will be on site for security as well. Staff and volunteers from the IRC will also be around. The facility is staffed around the clock.

"We need to make sure that we help these individuals, if they are newly homeless or chronically homeless, that they get the services they need during this time," says McKinney.

Organizers say there's enough room for about 100 people, but if they see a greater need, they will make changes to accommodate.

"We want to give them a safe place to stay, that way they can focus on feeling safe, being in a safe place, and not being out in the elements and feeling like they have some place to go rather be out in the streets," says Danley.

The City of Greensboro and the IRC are providing free transportation.

For more information, click here.