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With the extreme cold impacting New York City, Care For the Homeless wants to make sure accurate, life-saving information reaches our most vulnerable neighbors. Our teams are working hard to accommodate as many people as possible at our shelter sites. We have also put together this Extreme Cold Weather Guide.
Si deseas leer esto en español, haz clic aquí.
Here's how you can help:
If you see someone who may need immediate assistance, please call 311.
If you are in contact with anyone who may be living unsheltered, we encourage you to gently check in with them and share information about options to stay warm and safe during this cold weather. Exposure to extreme cold can have serious health impacts, and support is available right now for people who are willing to access it.
Below is information shared by the City that you can pass along, as appropriate. Please use your judgment to approach these conversations with care, respect, and compassion.
SIGN UP FOR NOTIFY NYC
If folks have access to a cell phone, encourage them to sign up for Notify NYC, which sends free, citywide emergency updates.
- Text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 to receive alerts in English. Reply with one or more ZIP codes to receive more localized alerts.
- Text NOTIFYNYCESP to 692-692 for alerts in Spanish.
- Text NOTIFYNYCFRE to 692-692 for alerts in French.
WARMING BUSES
The City is operating additional warming buses to provide safe, heated indoor spaces. And all hospital waiting rooms are open (with buses for overflow in high-demand spots).
- Dewitt Clinton High School - 100 Moshulu Pkwy, Bronx
- Olivieri DIC - 257 West 30th Street, Manhattan
- Jackie Kennedy High School - 120 West 46th Street, Manhattan
- Mainchance DIC - 120 East 32nd Street, Manhattan
- Pauls Place DIC - 114 West 14th Street, Manhattan
- Harlem Hospital - 506 Lenox Ave, Manhattan
- 16 Bedford Place - Brooklyn
- Union Hall DIC - 92-32 Union Hall Street, Queens
- Queens DIC - 100-32 Atlantic Avenue, Queens
These are in addition to existing warming buses:
- Lincoln Hospital - Bronx
- South Ferry EOL - Manhattan
- Inwood 207th EOL - Manhattan
- Penn Station - Manhattan
- Bellevue Hospital - Manhattan
- Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn College EOL - Brooklyn
- Elmhurst Hospital - Queens
- Queens Hospital - Queens
A full list by borough, along with any additions, can be found at this link.
CODE BLUE & OUTREACH SUPPORT
The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) activates Code Blue when temperatures drop to 32°F or below (including wind chill) between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM. During Code Blue:
- People can call 311 for information on shelter, warming centers, and assistance.
- Calls to 311 related to Code Blue are routed to 911 so first responders can reach people quickly.
- Outreach teams are intensifying efforts citywide to connect people to shelter and lifesaving support.
- All DHS facilities, shelters, Safe Havens, stabilization beds, and drop-in center have an open-door policy. Please seek help in any of these locations.
- Intake procedures are relaxed, and outreach teams can directly place people into Safe Havens and stabilization beds.
SHORT SCRIPT FOR OUTREACH
If it helps, here is a respectful way to approach your neighbors: “I know it’s extremely cold, and I wanted to see how you’re doing. If you’re interested, there are warming centers and shelters available right now, and 311 can help explain options. I’m here to
help with information that feels most comfortable for you.”
Thank you for continuing to look out for one another and for our neighbors during this
dangerous weather. Your support can make a real difference.
— The Team at Care For the Homeless
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