How to Prepare For Snow Tomorrow
In response to the extreme weather forecasted overnight Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office (CMEMO), Roof Above and the Salvation Army Center of Hope are working together to support the needs of people experiencing homelessness during this extreme weather event. Throughout COVID-19, the City and County have worked with our shelter partners, Roof Above and Salvation Army, to expand shelter bed capacity in our community. This has allowed the shelters to practice safe social distancing measures, based on The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mecklenburg County Public Health guidance at all of their winter sheltering locations.
In anticipation of winter weather, Roof Above has extended its Day Services Center hours, which are 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (9 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekends/holidays). These extended hours include access to restrooms, hand washing stations, and outside radiated heaters in a manner that meets Mecklenburg County Public Health guidelines. Mecklenburg County extended leases on nearly 160 hotel rooms to continue to support social distancing for Salvation Army Center of Hope and Safe Alliance during the winter season, and to ensure a safe space for people 60 years and older with underlying medical conditions. These rooms are accessed through the community’s shelter system.
The following provides an update on additional resources being put in place to further expand emergency shelter during this extreme weather event. The Roof Above organization and the Salvation Army Center of Hope existing shelter locations will maintain current operations. For Men: Roof Above reopened their Statesville Avenue shelter, as a nightly winter shelter, expanding their capacity by 116 beds to a total capacity of over 600. Mecklenburg County and Roof Above will be closely monitoring shelter utilization. To access this overflow shelter, men can: Sign up by calling 704-334-3187 ext. 5002 (or press 9) from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Mon-Fri) Sign up starting at 1:30 p.m. at Roof Above’s Day Services Center located at 945 North College St. (Mon-Fri) Come in-person any night to 3410 Statesville Ave starting at 7:30 pm.
For Women & Families: Salvation Army Center of Hope added a hotel-based winter shelter. Mecklenburg County and Salvation Army will be closely monitoring shelter utilization and if needed, has a plan in place to expand capacity.
In order to access this shelter, please call 211.
Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) buses will transport individuals to these shelter locations free of charge on Jan. 7, 2021 during the day. Riders must simply identify a shelter location to the driver.
