Sacramento opening multiple warming centers this weekend amid near-freezing temperatures
Both Sacramento County and the city of Sacramento will open multiple warming centers this weekend to offer respite for homeless residents as temperatures are forecast to drop in the low 30s.
The city will open three warming centers: City Hall lobby at 915 I St., the Hagginwood Community Center at 3271 Marysville Blvd. and Capitol City Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 6701 Lemon Hill Ave. will be open 8 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday, and 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday.
The county is opening two warming centers: the Department of Human Assistance Service Annex at 1725 28th St. will be open 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday; and the Creekside Adult School at 2641 Kent Dr. will be open 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday, and 8 p.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday.
The city is opening the three centers “so people experiencing homelessness can come inside during the worst of the cold weather,” officials wrote. All the centers will have snacks, water and restrooms. The City Hall lobby and Hagginwood Community Center can accommodate pets in kennels, and Creekside Adult School can accommodate pets in kennels or on leashes.
The city said officials will review forecasts later this week to determine whether the centers should stay open a third night, from Sunday into Monday morning.
“The Department of Community Response is also working with community partners to identify additional locations that could be used as temporary respite centers,” Tuesday’s news release continued.
Sacramento County also extended its weather respite motel vouchering program through Tuesday morning, which is currently helping shelter more than 120 people.
As of Wednesday morning, National Weather Service forecasts show a nighttime low of 33 degrees expected Friday night, 32 degrees Saturday night and 35 degrees Sunday night in California’s capital.
Sacramento last opened weather respite centers at City Hall and the Hagginwood Community Center on Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 during another cold winter storm.
Sacramento Regional Transit is providing buses to transport guests to warming centers starting at 7 p.m. each night. Transportation will also be provided back to pick-up locations in the morning. The pick-up locations will be at the following RT bus stops:
- Stockton Boulevard and Fruitridge Road
- Watt Avenue at Poplar Boulevard
- Ahern Street at North C Street (Near Loaves & Fishes)
- Natomas Park Drive (near Garden Highway across from Discovery Park)
This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 8:13 AM.
