City activates cold weather shelters as temperatures expected to dip below freezing
AUSTIN, Texas - Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing tonight and because of that, the city is taking action to protect the homeless. The City announced it will be activating its cold weather shelter program for Wednesday night.
“When the temperature drops to 32 degrees or lower, Front Steps and the City of Austin initiate our Cold Winter Shelter program,” said Corey Leith with the Salvation Army.
When the program is activated, the city works with various different organizations including the Salvation Army to give the homeless a warm and safe place to stay when temperatures dip overnight.
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“The Salvation Army works with Front Steps, rec centers, churches, and other service providers to house individuals who are experiencing homelessness during these cold winter nights,” said Leith.
The program has been used five times this winter season:
- November 11, 2019: 257
- November 12, 2019: 256
- December 10, 2019: 214
- December 17, 2019: 181
- December 18, 2019: 180
Leith says it's important to think of those who might not have a warm home to go back to.
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“Could you imagine when it's 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. or 2 a.m. when someone who's experiencing homelessness with a thin jacket on so it's very dangerous for those who are living in the streets right now without any type of one protection,” he said.
Those who needed shelter for tonight were asked to go to the ARCH. There, those who needed shelter were then placed into one of the various housing locations around the area for the night.
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“It's very important because people can die on the streets during when it's very cold. It's very important that these shelters and rec centers are open for those who are experiencing homelessness,” said Leith.
For more information on shelters, call the shelter hotline at 512-305-4233. That number is updated daily with information.