Torres Shelter unveils new expansion plan

The Torres Shelter in Chico has announced a new three-phase expansion plan to boost its ability to help those in need.

Local homeless shelter -- about to boost it's ability to help those in need.

Action news now reporter krisitian lopez shows us the future of chico's torres shelter.

Ramon sanchez: "i was living in a tent now i have a roof over my head."

Ramon sanchez has been living at the torres shelter for a month.

He says he lost his home in berry creek after the fire.

"they helped me with clothing, food, my hygiene stuff, everything from head to toe."

The shelter hoping to help more people like sanchez - with a new three phase expansion plan.

Kristian: phase 1 includes adding 50 new beds here at the torres shelter - increasing capacity to 210.

Joy amaro: we're gonna be able to bring in new kinds of bunk beds, some will be three tiered, some doubled, and single for those who are really incapacitated.

Phase one construction is expected to start in april.

Kristian: phase 2 will include adding 2- thousand square feet to this side of the building for a navigation center.

Joy: people experiencing homelessness may enter that part of the building prior to becoming a guest, thats where initial intake will happen and triage will happen in terms of their needs.

Kristian: and phase three will be the construction of a new two story building in this area.

Joy: an additional two story, four thousand square foot, 2 thousand at the bottom which will allow for donations to be dropped off and client storage and upstairs will be single resident occupancy for individuals participating in our job training program.

Ramon sanchez : they've helped me so much, my placed burned down in berry creek, they told me to come right here and i'm here and i got a roof over my head.

Kristian: amaro says phase 1 has been funded but they still need money for phases 2 and three.

Reporting in chico kristian lopez action news now coverage you can count on.

Phase 1 has been funded by the city of chico as well as a private donor.

The shelter still needs to secure funding for phases 2 and three.

They are hoping for community