Women face fight for spots in city's shelters

On this night, 35 win and 6 lose in bid for night off the streets

BY MARK BROWN Sun-Times Columnist

"Totally full. No more open beds," he announces from beneath the sign for Franciscan House for Mary and Joseph, one of the city's largest homeless shelters. "I'm sorry, ladies. We don't have any more open beds tonight."

Byzantine procedures

As the announcement is made, I look up into the faces of six women left standing on the sidewalk. Their last, best hope for finding a place to sleep has slipped away.

What I see in their faces is fear and anger, resignation and annoyance, desperation and bemusement. And shock.