Pasadena American Red Cross shelter to remain open at least another week as new location sought

The city of Pasadena Thursday, Feb. 6, announced that the Eaton fire shelter at the Pasadena Convention Center will remain open for another week until a new shelter location can be located.

“The City will continue to support this effort to ensure everyone receives the care and assistance they need,” a city statement read. “In the meantime, the portable trailers for showers, restrooms and laundry will be relocated to the west side of the convention hall.”

Set up 90 minutes after the start of the Eaton fire on Jan. 7, and run by the American Red Cross, the shelter housed about 1,140 people at the peak of evacuations.

As of Feb. 4, 272 people remained housed at the shelter, according to the Red Cross. Tension arose during Monday’s Pasadena City Council meeting as council members and the public decried the shelter possibly closing this weekend.

There was also confusion as to when it would shut down. One more week would put that closing date at  Feb. 13.

The American Red Cross said this week that while the Civic Auditorium Complex requested the facility be returned to the city “shortly after the first week of February,” all residents would continue to have sheltering options until all residents had a plan in place to get to their next housing solution.

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