Outer Banks’ lone shelter for the unhoused preps for 16th season amid rising need and housing challenges

By Sam Walker

As cooler weather approaches, OBX Room In The Inn (RITI), the only homeless shelter serving adults across the Outer Banks, will open its doors for its 16th winter season at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Founded in 2009 by Gail Leonard and Claiborne Yarbrough, the nonprofit provides food, clothing and shelter to unhoused adults during the winter months and connects guests with year-round support services. 

Last season, the organization provided 1,643 room nights and nearly 5,000 meals through partnerships with 21 local churches, and successfully rehoused six guests. 

“This work is about so much more than a bed and a meal,” said Shari Fiveash, president and CEO of OBX Room In The Inn. “It’s about dignity, stability, and hope — about helping people rebuild their lives right here in our community.”

To help ensure its sustainability, RITI established a non-endowed organizational fund at the Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF). The OBX Room In The Inn Fund provides RITI the flexibility to invest funds for both long-term needs and short-term emergencies. RITI is the first nonprofit to utilize a non-endowed organizational fund at OBCF, and according to the Community Foundation’s President and CEO Chris Sawin there are a lot of benefits.

“We’re excited to partner with Room in the Inn on this new non-endowed organizational fund,” said Sawin. “It’s a flexible, forward-thinking option for nonprofits looking to grow their resources while keeping access to funds when needed. This innovative approach reflects our commitment to helping Outer Banks nonprofits thrive both now and in the future.”

The shelter, which operates from November through April, offers 18 beds on a first-come, first-served basis, with separate sleeping areas for men and women. 

Guests must arrive at the Intake Center, located at 111 W. Carlton Avenue in Kill Devil Hills, by 4 p.m. each day and are required to pass a background check, drug screening, and breathalyzer before being transported to the Nags Head shelter site. 

Each evening includes a hot meal, showers, and laundry access, followed by lights out at 11 p.m.

Fiveash said the organization faced a heartbreaking challenge last season when the shelter was full for nearly four months straight. 

“The hardest part of our work is having to turn someone away, knowing they have nowhere else to go,” she said. “We get calls from people desperate for help — and we wish we could say yes to everyone, but we just don’t have the funding or space.”

OBX Room In The Inn operates on a modest budget, relying on private donations (51%), grants, community events, and in-kind gifts of food, clothing, and supplies. 

In 2025, the nonprofit received support from the Outer Banks Community Foundation, and the Kitty Hawk Rotary Fall Golf Classic, OBX Jeep Invasion, and Skydive OBX, among others. 

“These aren’t just donations,” Fiveash said. “They’re lifelines. Every contribution helps us provide meals, shelter, and services that make a tangible difference.”

Fiveash credited community partnerships with helping sustain operations, including Outer Banks Health, which provides mobile medical screenings, and local chef Wes Stepp of Red Sky Café, who prepares Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for guests. 

She also praised HomeGoods for donating essential household items to help guests transition into permanent housing.

The organization’s next fundraiser, Lunch To Go, will take place Saturday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kelly’s Catering, located at 1004 9th Ave. in Kill Devil Hills. 

For $25, supporters can purchase shrimp and grits or fried chicken plates, with proceeds going directly toward winter shelter operations.

Fiveash said the group’s long-term goal is to open a year-round shelter that can serve families and children, made possible through the Outer Banks Community Foundation non-endowed fund, which has increased from $1,000 to $33,000 since early 2024.

She also acknowledged growing public frustration with the region’s lack of affordable housing, but said the issue extends far beyond the organization’s capacity. 

“Affordable housing on the Outer Banks is nearly nonexistent,” Fiveash said. “Even for guests working full-time, rents are out of reach.” 

“One man we helped last season worked hard, saved money, and applied for multiple rentals — but was denied over and over because of his credit,” Fiveash said. “It took months and a $3,500 security deposit to finally get him a year-round lease.”

Despite these obstacles, Fiveash said Room In The Inn remains determined to meet the need — one guest at a time. 

“We hear the criticism, and we understand it,” she said. “But unless you’re here every day, doing the work, it’s hard to grasp the barriers people face.”

We’ll keep showing up, advocating, and doing everything we can, because everyone deserves a place to call home,” Fiveash said.

To make a gift to Room In The Inn’s fund at the Outer Banks Community Foundation, visit OBCF.org/donate or call 252 423 3003. 

It has never been easier for you to make a real impact in our community! At the Outer Banks Community Foundation, there are countless ways to get involved in philanthropy. Start your journey today and make a lasting difference in the lives of those around us.

About the Outer Banks Community Foundation: The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to fostering philanthropy and supporting local causes. Through its charitable funds and grant programs, the Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life for residents of the Outer Banks.