Homeless people have had a warm place to go during periods of extreme cold, despite changes to a Code Blue shelter in Scranton.

The Weston Field shelter has opened its doors as temperatures have dipped below 20 degrees more than 14 times in the last two months, a greater number than in previous years, Catholic Social Services CEO Joe Mahoney said.

A Code Blue alert has been issued for Saturday, Monday and Tuesday evenings, with wind chill expected to drop below 20 degrees.

This is the first year Catholic Social Services has operated the Code Blue shelter. Previously, the Christian-based Keystone Mission partnered with the city to open the Providence Road facility during frigid weather.

In November, the city agreed to have Catholic Social Services operate the emergency shelter, which can accommodate up to 50 people.

“The city and each of the partner organizations in our Unsheltered Task Force, which includes Catholic Social Services, remain committed to addressing the changing needs of those without stable housing in Scranton,” Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti said after November’s announcement.

Lackawanna County issues Code Blue alerts when forecasts predict temperatures below 20 degrees. The Department of Homeless Services and Ready PA also recommend Code Blue alerts when forecasts predict 12 inches of snow or more, or rain, sleet or snow with temperatures of 32 degrees and a lower wind chill.

In addition to operating the emergency shelter at Weston Field, CSS also operates St. Anthony’s Haven at 409 Olive St., a year-round overnight homeless shelter that can accommodate 20 men and six women, Mahoney said.

Both the Weston Field site and St. Anthony’s Haven have averaged about 25 people this year when temperatures have plunged.

Mahoney said so many frigid nights so early in the season has been overwhelming, but staff has stepped up.

He gives credit to Code Blue Supervisor Jessica Spangenberg for overseeing staff and making the shelter into a warm, safe place to spend the night that also offers dignity and support to those in need.

Mahoney also credits the city of Scranton and the Community Intervention Center with ensuring the safety and security of homeless people year round.