AUSTIN, Texas – With temperatures forecasted to dip into the low-30s, the City of Austin has activated its cold weather shelters for March 16.<\/p>\n
The backstory:<\/p>\n
The City of Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations says the shelters will open overnight for those in need of a safe, warm place to reside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Families with children and unaccompanied minors seeking shelter during activation periods will be provided hotel lodging.<\/p>\n
AHSO will also use its text alert system to notify nearly 5,000 subscribers about the cold weather shelter activation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also, community partners who work directly with Austin\u2019s unsheltered population are asked to spread awareness about the availability of the shelters.<\/p>\n
How to Access a Cold Weather Shelter\u00a0 <\/p>\n
What you can do:<\/p>\n
Registration for shelter occurs between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road. Bus routes to OTC are lines: 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 801.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Those seeking a cold-weather shelter without the means to pay the fare will still be given a ride.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Community partners who work directly with Austin\u2019s unsheltered population are welcome to transport people to OTC.<\/p>\n
CapMetro transports shelter clients from OTC to a shelter location.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An after-hours embarkation service will also be available for those seeking transportation to a shelter outside the embarkation period. AHSO does not publicize the CWS locations for operational and safety reasons.<\/p>\n
While shelters are primarily accessed by people experiencing homelessness, they are available to anyone needing a warm place to spend the night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Individuals can get information about access and activation by calling 512-972-5055.<\/p>\n
Dig deeper:<\/p>\n
Officials have also released the following guidance for shelter guests:<\/p>\n
Guests can bring their belongings as long as they can transport them to the OTC and onto a CapMetro Bus.Pets are allowed if they are not aggressive, can be around others, on a leash, and can sleep with their owners. If a pet needs a crate for the evening at the shelter, guests should inform staff at the OTC when registering.Meals will be provided.Women and couples can be at the same shelter but in a separate area, as capacity allows.\u00a0Families with children and unaccompanied minors seeking shelter during activation periods will be provided hotel lodging. <\/p>\n
The Source: Information from City of Austin.<\/p>\n
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