TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) The Gospel Rescue Mission says it will reduce the number of beds at its men's shelter in South Tucson because of fire safety codes.
Effective Monday morning, the shelter will go from 106 beds to 55, according to a press release.
After an inspection last week the shelter says it did not have the adequate square footage to house more than 100 beds, and does not comply with National Fire Safety Code regulations. The mission says the standard is one person per 50 square feet.
Staff says the reduction will displace between 51 and 81 men each night depending on the time of year.
The shelter was expanded in 2004, and the Gospel Rescue Mission says it spent $300,000 remodeling it.
Leaders with the mission are looking for an alternative location that can house up to 200 beds. The shelter is working on placing the men they had to turn away at other shelters, but say there are some that won't have a place to stay tonight.
The shelter is located at 312 W. 28th Street.
