With winter's chill taking a firm grip on the city, St. Louis officials are stepping up their game to ensure residents have access to the essentials. Emergency shelters were activated yesterday, under the city's Code Blue protocols and will remain open through Wednesday, Dec. 17. Available beds number 285, with a surge capacity for 345 beds, in addition to the 400 year-round shelter beds, according to the City of St. Louis Department of Human Services.
In preparation for an expected snowfall on Saturday, the Street Department is set to begin treating snow routes as of Friday morning. This preemptive move is part of a broader response plan to severe weather conditions affecting the region. Since the Code Blue was first activated on Nov. 26, the shelters have reportedly been able to accommodate all individuals and families in need of refuge. The shelters will be operational 24/7 until Tuesday morning, barring any change in conditions.
For those in need of shelter, walk-up locations have been established at Peter & Paul - Jugan Shelter in the North City Zone, Biddle Housing Opportunities Center in the Central City Zone for single men, and Peter & Paul - Sidney Shelter in the South City Zone for single men and women. All walk-ups are welcome between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., while after 9 p.m., assistance can be sought by dialing 211 to reach the United Way Helpline.
Additional shelter locations are available by appointment, coordinated through the United Way 211 Helpline or by speaking with a coordinator at a rally point. In instances where a walk-up shelter reaches capacity, transportation will be provided to another facility with available space. Those seeking transportation to shelters can make use of rally point pickups between 5 and 7 p.m., at specified locations across the city. Each rally point features a warming bus or an indoor facility as well as a Metro Call-A-Ride shuttle staffed with a driver and an outreach worker.
Daytime warming center information and ongoing updates about shelter availability and street conditions can be found on the official City of St. Louis website.
