CLEVELAND -- As the cold winter weather lingers, there is a hot political battle brewing over what to do with homeless mothers and their children.

Susan Neth is the Homeless Services director, and she, along with dozens of volunteers, helped more than 100 women and children move into a new shelter after the one at which they had been staying was shut down by inspectors due to serious fire and health code violations.

"When we were welcoming the women … there was anxiety and fear, which was immediately replaced with joy and relief," said Neth.

The new shelter's location at 2100 Lakeside Ave. has been the subject of a yearlong debate by local leaders, and on Friday, councilman Joe Cimperman's last-minute lawsuit to delay the opening was turned down.

"Four years ago, when we planned 2100 Lakeside, we didn't have enough beds," Cimperman said. "So my fear is that … we haven't learned from our mistakes in the past. We want to see women and children taken care of, and we don't want to see anybody turned away."

The new shelter has 140 beds, but Cimperman says he'll be keeping a close eye on the overcrowding issue.

On Your Side

More than 2,000 viewers have joined Newschannel 5's On Your Side for the Homeless campaign in the last two weeks.

In order to contribute blankets, gloves, coats or warm socks, call the Volunteers of America at (440) 717-1500 or (216) 621-0120.