With the mercury plummeting and the winter chill taking a firm hold, the City of Arlington has stepped up again, extending its Emergency Weather Shelter Plan to ensure no one is left in the cold. Through Saturday, homeless individuals in the city can find respite from the freezing temps—statistics that require shelter plans to kick into gear when they dip to 39 degrees or below for at least four hours overnight, according to an announcement from the city.
The Arlington Life Shelter and The Salvation Army are the designated inclement weather havens for those without a roof. Doors at the Arlington Life Shelter, located at 325 W. Division St., will open for intake from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., while The Salvation Army, found at 712 W. Abram St., begins intake at 7 p.m., stretching until 10 p.m. "IDs are required – Exceptions are police drop offs," states the City of Arlington, ensuring even those without identification can access these critical services in dire times.
Apart from offering a warm place to stay, both establishments will provide meals to their guests. Those needing further details can contact the Arlington Life Shelter main number at 817-548-9885 ext. 3312 or The Salvation Army at 817-860-1836. All Arlington Library locations are open during their standard operating hours, offering a comfortable climate away from the unforgiving winter bite for folks looking to stay warm during the day.
The George W. Hawkes Downtown Library boasts more extensive hours, open from Monday to Thursday until 9 p.m., while other branches accommodate the public mostly until 8 p.m. on weekdays. The East Library and Recreation Center and the other branches listed by the city provide sanctuary during their respective operating times. Homeless individuals accompanied by pets aren't left out either; the Arlington Animal Services Shelter cares for their furry companions as capacity allows.
Finally, for those keen on staying informed about Arlington's inclement weather shelters, signing up for text alerts is as simple as sending a message with ARLCOLD to 877-799-4950.
