GREENSBORO, N.C. — Cleveland Finch has been staying at Greensboro Urban Ministry's Weaver House Shelter since the summer. He said he worries about his health while staying in a shelter amidst the pandemic.

"The environment that a shelter has is different than what a house has. It's really important that you stay safe," Finch says.

Michael Pearson, the director of the Weaver House Shelter, says during the winter months the shelter typically doubles the amount of people it takes in by partnering with organizations like churches. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic he said it has had to cut that number in half.

"Individuals don't have a place to stay, and that part is rough. We're a homeless shelter, and we're trying to home people who need housing or are experiencing food insecurity, and so they're not able to get those needs met," Pearson says. 

The shelter began working with churches and hotels again this year to house as many people as possible.

Finch says his biggest concern is people coming and going from the shelter, not knowing what they are exposed to.

"When people are here at the shelter, you don't know what they're doing, who they're around. It scares you because what they are bringing back. They might leave the shelter with nothing, but they might come back with COVID," Finch says. 

Finch says he makes sure to wear a mask at all times, wash his hands, and follow the shelter's social distancing policies. He also says while it can be unnerving at times, he has no choice but to stay at the shelter.

"They're helping me. They're helping me transition out of the shelter into my own apartment. It's scary, but it's necessary that I come here, but also to stay safe," Finch says.

The shelter requires masks at all times, encourages hand washing, has social distancing policies in place, is working on its ventilation, and more. The shelter has also held testing on four separate occasions, and everyone has tested negative.