WHEELING — With winter weather blowing into the Ohio Valley and COVID-19 cases on the rise, the city of Wheeling has agreed to allow facilities on the former Ohio Valley Medical Center site to be used by Youth Services System as its Winter Freeze Shelter this season.

During a Tuesday meeting, Wheeling City Council passed a resolution adopting a memorandum of understanding between the city and YSS for use of space at OVMC from December through March.

Officials noted that the former Hillcrest facility has been designated as the site for the Winter Freeze Shelter. Until now, YSS has operated the shelter in several fourth-floor rooms inside its East Wheeling administrative building.

“The current location is incredibly inadequate,” Councilman Ben Seidler said. “We don’t have enough room there. This is a big deal for our homeless community, especially with the COVID issue.”

This marks the 12th year YSS has offered its Winter Freeze Shelter program, which offers basic needs such as food, clothing and fellowship to those in need.