FLAGSTAFF – At least two emergency homeless shelters in Flagstaff are having to turn people away at night this winter as the recession deepens and despite the recent addition of 42 beds in the area.

In response, social service agencies have partnered with churches to raise money for motel vouchers for people in need. One church even opened its doors as an overflow shelter for women and children.

Flagstaff Shelter Services turned away 140 men and women between Oct. 18, when it opened, and Dec. 3 because the facility was full. It has 30 beds, eight of which are reserved for men who are employed and saving money to transition into permanent housing.

Shelter Director Todd Sherman, thinks more people are in need of a place to stay because they can't find jobs in the struggling economy.

Those who are turned away are referred to other shelters, but Sherman said some of them decide to camp in the woods instead.

Another shelter, Hope Cottage, also is reaching capacity.

Shelter Director Stephanie Boardman said she is turning away between 80 to 90 people a month. The shelter turned away three times more people in October than it did the same month last year.

The First Congregational Church is acting as an overflow shelter for Hope Cottage.

Pastor Bill Guise said the amount of people Hope Cottage was turning away distressed him. ”And the thought of a mother with children out on the street in this weather was more than I could contemplate,'' he said. ”I just don't see how any facility such as ours or a church such as ours say no to try to lend a hand.''

While at the church, guests sleep on cots and get continental breakfasts. They clean up the church before leaving. A Hope Cottage staff member stays at the church with them.

Meanwhile, another shelter, Sunshine Rescue Mission, is less than half full every night. That may be because those who stay there are required to commit to leading a sober lifestyle, actively looking for work, and are given religious counseling.

The Intake Triage Unit at The Guidance Center for detox services, which has 12 beds, also hasn't had to turn anyone away, Executive Director Linda Cowan said.

She said between two and 10 people stay there every night and that most of them come and go quickly. Some do stay for the entire detox process.

In response to some shelters having to turn people away, members of several faith-based organizations and churches have raised money to offer motel vouchers to families in need. The plan is to give the vouchers to the police department to hand out after hours on an emergency basis.

Flagstaff police Lt. Michael Terrin said officers typically give the vouchers to families, while transients and those who are intoxicated are encouraged to go to one of the shelters.