As the Good News Rescue Mission celebrates the completion of a major shelter project that was years in the making, the need for additional shelter space has beat them to the opening. The house of hope was built to provide shelter for women and children who have found themselves living on the street. Until now many have had to sleep on the floor of the chapel or the dining hall, but the house of hope provides shelter exclusively for women and children. Director Jonathan Anderson says they’re seeing a sharp increase in this particular segment of the homeless population. Anderson says the reasons for homelessness are nearly as numerous as the homeless people themselves. Most of the newly homeless single mothers with children are not there because of drug addiction, but they just need some help learning how to be self sufficient. The mission has the means to provide that, even if it takes a while. Upon opening, the House of Hope was already exceeding its capacity of 105 beds. The building was packed Wednesday with volunteers, supporters and community members as a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to officially open the doors. Information about the mission can be found at gnrm.org.