NATCHEZ — Natchez and Adams County officials discussed Friday establishing a homeless shelter.

County Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford spoke at Friday’s regular Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting following questions from the community over why the county’s safe room did not open its doors during a hard freeze a week prior.

Bradford told the board the safe room is only meant to protect people during short-term emergencies, such as during a tornado warning.

A shelter, Bradford said, instead aims to house people around the clock.

“We’re looking at a whole community approach,” Bradford said. “If everyone put in on it, we could have a nice homeless shelter that’s for people in times of need.”

Bradford said he is assembling a committee to determine financing for the prospective shelter.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell asked Bradford if the shelter’s mission would include helping people to develop and eventually thrive in society, which Bradford affirmed.

“It’s going to be a multi-functional, educational (facility), trying to help people out in need,” Bradford said.

Multiple aldermen voiced support for establishing a homeless shelter, including Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Smith and Ward 4 Alderwoman Felicia Irving.

Irving volunteered to participate in the process of planning for the shelter.

Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard, even after hearing Bradford’s explanation, still questioned why the safe room would remain closed during freezing temperatures.

“It just seems contrary to have someone that could possibly freeze to death tonight and be right outside that shelter and it not be open,” Dillard said.

Bradford also said keeping the safe room open overnight would require overtime payment for employees, which requires a declaration.

Whenever a shelter is established, Bradford said, its success would largely hinge on the willingness of community members to volunteer.