By Jack Tomczuk

Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration declared a “Code Blue” on Sunday afternoon, in an attempt to get unsheltered individuals inside amid dangerously frigid temperatures.

The designation went into effect at 3 p.m. Jan. 18 and will remain in place until further notice, according to an alert on the city’s website. Snow fell over the weekend, and a cold front was expected to last through at least Wednesday morning.

During a Code Blue, the city’s Office of Homeless Services activates 24-hour outreach teams, opens additional shelter beds and permits homeless people to stay in emergency housing in daytime hours.

The municipal government implements those measures when the wind chill temperature is at or below 20 degrees, or there is precipitation and thermometer readings of 32 degrees or lower.

Anyone who sees someone living outside is encouraged to call the city’s homeless outreach hotline at 215-232-1984.

Homeless individuals can also visit the following intake centers:

Appletree Family Center,  1430 Cherry St., weekdays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Roosevelt Darby Center, 804 N. Broad St., weekdays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Veterans Multi-Service Center, 213-217 N. 4th St., Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Red Shield Family Residence (families), 715 N. Broad St., weekdays 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. and weekends

ACTS After Hour Intake Site (families), 1300 E. Tulpehocken St., weekdays 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.,  24 hours on holidays and weekends

Mike Hinson Resource Center (single men), 1701 W. Lehigh Ave.,  weekdays 3 p.m. to 7 a.m., holidays and weekends 

Gaudenzia’s House of Passage (single women), 48th Street and Haverford Avenue,  weekdays 5 p.m.–7 a.m, weekends and holidays.

Youth access points, offering resources and support, are available for people between the ages of 18 and 24 years old at Eddie’s House, 2321 N. Broad St., on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and for those between 14 and 24 at Synergy Project at Valley Youth House, 1880 JFK Blvd., Suite 660. The Valley Youth House site is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and  8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.