It is frigid outside today, and the National Weather Service predicts it will get even colder tomorrow as the Polar Vortex moves through the region. The NWS has issued a wind chill warning for today through tomorrow evening, and, according to a memo from Cincinnati City Manager Patrick Duhaney, those winds could make it feel as cold as 30 degrees below zero.
For those who do not have housing, or who may not have reliable heat where they live, it’s vital to be somewhere away from the cold. Every year, frigid temperatures take the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
Here are some options for warming up in Cincinnati:
• All 22 Cincinnati Recreation Commission community centers will be open as warming centers during their normal hours. Residents are welcome to come to those locations and warm up. Here is a list of those centers.
• The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is also welcoming those who do not have places to warm up. All branches will be open normal hours and welcome anyone looking to escape the cold. Here are library locations across the region.
• Those looking for shelter and food can also call the Central Access Point hotline (513-381-7233) or text CAP (513-970-1515) for information about available shelter space. The city also has a list of shelters, food pantries and other services, including address and contract information. Through the CAP line, families can seek access to services and shelter provided by organizations like Bethany House, Salvation Army and Interfaith Hospitality Network.
• Shelterhouse offers 200 emergency, cold-weather beds for men and women over the age of 18 in the Winter Shelter at the David and Rebecca Barron Center (411 Gest St., 513-721-0643). It opens at 7 p.m. and closes at 6 a.m. The Barron Center also has a 24-hour shelter for men with 150 beds at the same address and phone number. Shelterhouse’s Esther Marie Hatton shelter for women has another 60 beds at 2499 Reading Road. Its number is 513-562-1980.
• The Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky at 634 Scott St. in Covington is open from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. It takes guests on a first come, first served basis. Its number is 859-291-4555.
• Tomorrow, a temporary day shelter will be open at 3618 Reading Road from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. run by Gabriel’s Place and homeless outreach group Maslow’s Army. Buses running from the Barron Center at 411 Gest St. will shuttle those looking for a place to warm up or get a meal to Gabriel’s Place.
This article appears in Jan 23-30, 2019.
