While many people in the region will be staying inside their homes once the winter storm arrives this weekend, some in D.C. will be looking for refuge inside the city鈥檚 shelters.
Under a cold alert, the District assist its homeless community by increasing the amount of shelter access during 鈥渉ypothermic weather conditions.鈥� Unhoused residents have access to use a low-barrier shelter 鈥� a year-round emergency housing facility with few requirements needed for entry 鈥� or a hypothermia shelter opened by the city.
Rachel Pierre, director of D.C.鈥檚 Department of Human Services, told WTOP for the upcoming storm, the city has activated close to 1,700 beds and can add more if necessary. The department鈥檚 outreach team has been trying to get the word out about the extra beds while distributing blankets, hats and hand warmers to the region鈥檚 homeless community.
鈥淲e are going into frigid temperatures, and the mayor has made 24/7 resources available to help people come in,鈥� Pierre said.
If you see someone outside who needs shelter or a welfare check, Pierre encouraged residents to call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or dial 311. Members of the department鈥檚 outreach program are offering a shelter transportation service, which can take anyone to one of the area鈥檚 facilities.
鈥淲e have the ability to pick up any residents who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness within the city, to pick them up and take them to an available bed,鈥� Pierre said.
A list of available shelters can be found on the . Most shelters are single sex while there are聽
One of those locations is Emery Low-Barrier Shelter for men in Northeast D.C.
Normally open 24/7 year-round with its own beds and locker room, the facility increases its capacity with cots during cold alerts and operates those areas from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Those who go to stay at the Emery are also provided with housing, clothes, food, among other services they may need.
Edward Washington, 40, of Northeast D.C., started staying at Emery a year ago. He said the men鈥檚 only shelter is one of the cleanest in the city, giving it 鈥渇ive stars.鈥�
鈥淭he community is family orientated,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 feel safe when I come here.鈥�
The hope is some people will get connected with services offered at some of the shelter sites in order to find housing assistance, Pierre said.
Jonathan Dudley, 36, described himself as 鈥渄epressed, broken鈥� before moving to Emery. Along with providing him with work in its laundry room, Dudley credits the facility and its affiliated programs with helping him find a mental therapist and access to psychiatric medications.
鈥淚 do take big gratitude in it, because the streets aren’t any better,鈥� Dudley said, later adding, 鈥淭hey have allowed me to stay and not only that, but they have grown me into a person that can maintain a job and keep his employment.鈥�
Those trying to brave the cold should give any of the city鈥檚 shelters a try, Dudley said, calling the idea “diabolical.”
鈥淵ou should not be out there,鈥� he said. 鈥淧lease come down to Emery and talk to our great staff and see if we can get you one of these cots. If not an overflow, one of the beds upstairs in the residency.”
“Being outside in this weather is definitely not something you need to do,鈥� he said.
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