As the winter chill grips Arlington, the city's most vulnerable residents find relief in the form of emergency cold-weather shelters. The City of Arlington has activated its Homeless Emergency Cold Weather Shelter plan, catering to the community in need when the mercury dips to 39 degrees or below during the night. Two primary facilities, the Arlington Life Shelter and The Salvation Army open their doors to provide respite from the harsh temperatures.
According to information provided by the City of Arlington, the Arlington Life Shelter at 325 W. Division St. starts intake from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., meanwhile, guests are welcome through the east side entrance. Identification is required, though police drop-offs are an exception. Alongside a warm place to stay, the shelter also provides meals. Questions can be directed to their main line at 817-548-9885 ext. 3312.
Commencing intake at 7 p.m. and continuing until 10 p.m., The Salvation Army at 712 W. Abram St. stands as another bastion against the cold. Here too, exceptions exist for individuals brought in by the Arlington Police Department, alongside the guarantee of a meal. For those who just need a place to warm up during the day, all Arlington Library locations are open during standard operating hours, offering a temporary escape from the cold.
With several branches across the city, such as the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library at 100 S. Center St. and the Southeast Branch at 900 S.E. Green Oaks Blvd., the spaces serve as more than just repositories of knowledge; they transform into havens of warmth. Specific operation hours can be found on the city's website. Additionally, for homeless guests with four-legged companions, the Arlington Animal Services Shelter steps in to accommodate pets as long as space permits.
For those who want to stay informed on the activation of these essential shelters, the city has put in place an Inclement Weather Shelter Text Subscription. Interested parties can text ARLCOLD at 877-799-4950 for updates.
