Tarrant County Homeless Coalition urges people to seek shelter when cold temperatures hit

Nicole Lopez
·2 min read
2

The Tarrant County Homeless Coalition urges people living outdoors to seek shelter as the organization has a cold weather shelter plan in preparation for freezing temperatures.

Overflow shelters are also available if needed and people can text helplines to receive more information about centers.

The Cold Weather Shelter Plan went into effect Oct. 15 and runs through March 31, according to the coalition. Cold weather overflow beds in Fort Worth are available when the temperature is either below 40 degrees in wet conditions, below 35 degrees in dry conditions, or if there is a wind chill of below 32 degrees for three or more consecutive hours.

Possible record-low temperatures are forecast Sunday through Wednesday in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, along with a mix of snow, ice and other wintry precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.

In Arlington, shelters and beds are available when the temperature is expected to be below 39 degrees for more than four hours overnight.

If local homeless shelters reach capacity, overflow facilities will be opened. In that case, those in need of cold weather shelter in Fort Worth or surrounding cities should report to the Flag Building at 1100 East Lancaster in Fort Worth, where the When We Love organization will handle check-ins and transportation.

In Arlington, anyone in need of shelter should go to Arlington Life Shelter at 325 W. Division St. If that shelter is full, transportation will be provided to another facility.

“Our community has a plan in place and is working to ensure no one is left out in the cold,” said Lauren King, executive director for the Homeless Coalition, in a news release. “If a member of the public sees someone outside unsheltered, please encourage them to seek shelter. We will find them a warm bed.”

For more information about emergency shelter options, visit the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition website. To receive alerts about cold weather shelter in Arlington, text ARL COLD to 877-799-4950. For Fort Worth, text FWCOLD to 877-799-4950.