Faced with more homeless people seeking a place to stay than ever, leaders of the local winter shelter said this week that they expect a budget deficit that could top $15,000 and need the community’s help.

The down economy and wet weather had sent a flood of people to the Santa Clarita Valley Emergency Winter Shelter, forcing it to spend more to accommodate them all.

“We’ve been in business 13 years. We’ve never turned a client away,” said Tim Davis, the shelter’s executive director. “This year, with the recession and weather we’re having, we just couldn’t see how you could turn anyone away.”

The shelter began filling up in December, forcing staff members to rearrange the place so more people could stay. But in January, demand jumped even higher to 53 clients, and shelter leaders began sending female clients to a local motel.

They had to reserve six motel rooms, costing a total of $500 a night for three weeks, Davis said.

With less than two weeks until the shelter closes, the number of clients nightly has dipped into the 40s, Davis said.

The shelter, which operates on an annual budget of roughly $250,000, hopes to raise the $15,000 by the end of April. If enough money isn’t raised, the shelter will have the summer to get out of red.

If enough funds aren’t raised then, the shelter would have to consider cutting back on staff and services that help clients find work and housing.

The local shelter and others in downtown Los Angeles, Glendale and Culver City have all been more crowded than past years, said David Martel, program units manager for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.

Santa Clarita Valley’s only shelter has faced an occupancy rate of 95 percent this year, a 20 percent jump from last year, he said.

The wet winter season and the down economy could be strong factors for why demand has grown, he said.

Along with the general community, the shelter is leaning especially on faith congregations.

“The faith community of Santa Clarita has always been the greatest supporters of our efforts to assist the homeless,” Davis said. “We are going to each of the more than 30 communities who actively support us and asking for their help with this urgent need.”