As temperatures in St. Louis are expected to drop into the teens, the Department of Human Services has activated Code Blue at level 3 to expand emergency shelter options for homeless residents. The City of St. Louis Government reports that this increases shelter capacity to 450 beds, in addition to the 400 beds available year-round.
According to a Facebook post, the activation also provides transportation to shelters through rally points located throughout the city. Walk-up access is available at the Peter & Paul Jugan Shelter in North City, the Biddle Housing Opportunities Center in Central City, and two shelters on Kingshighway Blvd. and Sidney St. in South City. Residents unable to arrive before the 9 p.m. cutoff can call the United Way 211 Helpline at 211 to secure a spot for the night.
For residents unable to reach the shelters on their own, pickup services are available from 5 to 7 p.m. at several rally points, including the Urban League Women’s Business Center, Centenary United Methodist Church, and Loughborough Commons Parking Lot. Each location provides either a warming bus or an indoor space for relief from the cold, supported by a Metro Call-A-Ride shuttle staffed with a driver and outreach worker to transport individuals to the shelters.
