Several warming centers will open as early as Tuesday night across the Sacramento region to protect homeless residents and those without heat from the freezing temperatures expected early Wednesday morning through Friday.
The National Weather Service expects Thursday morning will be the coldest, with temperatures as low as 25 degrees.
The city’s warming location, also called an emergency respite center, will be located at:
- Sacramento City Hall Lobby, 915 I St., open Wednesday and Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
During past cold stretches, the city has opened Hagginwood Community Center in Del Paso Heights, but will not do so this week. Gregg Fishman, a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Community Response, said the center saw “few or no guests” the last several times it opened.
Two churches in Sacramento will also operate warming centers:
- Capitol City Seventh-Day Adventist Church, at 6701 Lemon Hill Ave. open Monday through Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Union Gospel Mission, at 400 Bannon Street, operates its winter warming center every night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., according to the city.
In addition, Sacramento County will open two warming centers through the end of the week:
- Creekside Adult School, at 2641 Kent Dr. near Arden-Arcade, will open Tuesday through Friday nights from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Sacramento County Department Human Assistance Service Annex, at 1725 28th St. near Midtown, will open Tuesday through Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Protective facial coverings will be required and provided to all visitors, according to the county. Pets are welcome, but must be on a leash or contained in an animal carrier at all times. Blankets, snacks and water will be provided.
The county is also exploring transportation options to these locations, a county press release said on Tuesday.
In addition to the warming centers, the county will distribute motel vouchers to homeless people through Saturday. The targeted program reaches out to people who are older, have health problems or other issues that make them particularly vulnerable to the elements, according to the county.
People can call 211, or go online at 211Sacrametno.org, for the latest information on warming center locations, dates and times, according to the county. The website has a map showing overnight shelters, daytime warming centers and public libraries.
The city of Elk Grove will also open a warming center this week:
- Barbara Morse Wackford Center: 9014 Bruceville Road, Elk Grove will open Tuesday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 8 am.
The Elk Grove location is open to adults 18 and older who lack shelter or adequate home heating. Pets are not permitted. Face coverings will be required unless visitors are eating or sleeping. Families with children will be referred to a motel voucher program coordinated by Elk Grove HART, a nonprofit homeless assistance resource team.
The city of Stockton will open two warming centers:
- Arnold Rue Community Center, at 5758 Lorraine Ave., from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Stribley Community Center, at 1760 E. Sonora St., from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Social distancing and face coverings, which will be provided, will be required at the Stockton community centers. All those staying must confirm that they are free of all COVID-19 symptoms by reviewing and completing a checklist, according to the city.
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