The City of Austin and partner agencies are ready to open Cold Weather Shelters for at least four nights beginning tonight, Thursday, Dec. 22.
Because of the anticipated severity of the cold weather this weekend, the city confirmed on Wednesday that that shelters will be open overnight on Thursday, Dec. 22, Friday Dec. 23, Saturday Dec. 24, and Sunday Dec. 25.
Registration for shelter will take place each evening between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road, which will act as a central point from which people will be transported to a Cold Weather Shelter, located offsite.
How people can access a Cold Weather Shelter
- Individuals can get information about access and activation by calling the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline - 512-305-ICEE (4233).
- Registration for shelter takes place between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road.
- CapMetro transports individuals from the OTC to a Cold Weather Shelter.
- While Cold Weather Shelters are primarily accessed by people experiencing homelessness, they are available to anyone in need of a warm place to spend the night.
- Guidance for Cold Weather Shelter guests is available here.
The locations that are activated for Cold Weather Shelters will remain open during the day on Friday and Saturday so individuals are able to stay warm and safe. The city and its partners will continue to manage resources during this evolving situation.
Locations of the cold weather shelters are not being made public for a variety of reasons, including managing capacity limits and privacy concerns, the city said.
Warming Centers – for temporary relief from the cold during day
Prior to Cold Weather Shelters opening, community members can use regular Warming Center locations during regular hours on Thursday if needed.
Four Warming Centers are opening Friday and Saturday daytime:
- Little Walnut Creek Library, 835 W. Rundberg Ln, 78758
- Terrazas Library, 1105 E Cesar Chavez St, 78702
- Turner Roberts Rec Center, 7201 Colony Loop 78724
- Dove Springs Recreation Center, 78744
