As temperatures plunge, Arlington has become a refuge for those seeking warmth and shelter. From Jan. 27 through Feb. 1, the city is keeping its doors open to assist those most vulnerable to the cold. The initiative, supported by federal funds, entails warming centers and overnight shelters operated by the City of Arlington's Homeless Emergency Cold Weather Shelter plan. This action is triggered when forecasts predict severe cold, with activation criteria set at 39 degrees Fahrenheit or below for a prolonged duration overnight.
According to the official City of Arlington announcement, The Salvation Army and First United Methodist Church are key partners in this humanitarian outreach. The two have proposed separate intake and check-out times for their shelters, respectively, and both will provide breakfast for their guests. Notably, the Salvation Army location at 712 W. Abram St. is capable of accommodating up to 30 individuals, while the First United Methodist Church situated at 407 N. Mesquite St. can serve up to 25 individuals.
In addition to these overnight shelters, warming centers have been established at all Arlington Public Library locations and recreation centers. These designated areas within the facilities will be accessible to the public throughout standard operating hours. For those affected parties accompanied by pets, the Arlington Animal Services Shelter is extending its capacity to accept pets as permitted by its own capacity restrictions and can be contacted at 817-459-5898 for more information.
