Emergency Shelter Available for St. Louisans Ahead of Freezing Temperatures
St. Louis is bracing for freezing temperatures this week, and the city is taking action to ensure that those in need have a warm place to stay. The City of St. Louis, along with several community organizations, have come together to provide emergency shelter for those who are unhoused or whose homes were damaged by the May 16 tornado.
Starting tonight, Nov. 9, and lasting until the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 11, emergency shelters will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. If temperatures remain below freezing in the mornings, the shelters will stay open until temperatures rise. A variety of shelter options are available, including congregate shelters for single men and women, as well as family rooms.
To access these shelters and transportation to them, individuals can call the United Way of Greater St. Louis at 211.
Mayor Cara Spencer expressed her pride in the partnership between the Department of Human Services, Recovery Office, St. Louis City Continuum of Care, and various community organizations to make this emergency shelter available early in the season. She stated, “St. Louisans who are unhoused or whose homes were damaged by the tornado deserve a warm place to sleep.”
The City of St. Louis has joined forces with the St. Louis City Continuum of Care, the United Way of Greater St. Louis, the American Red Cross, Peter & Paul Community Services, Biddle Housing Opportunities Center, Gateway 180, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation to provide these shelters and related services.
Kathy Connors, chair of the St. Louis City Continuum of Care and executive director of Gateway 180, emphasized the commitment to ensuring that unhoused individuals have access to shelter during extreme weather conditions. She stated, “In partnership with Mayor Spencer’s office and the Department of Human Services, we are working diligently to ensure that the number of shelter beds available this winter meets the need and provides safety and security to the most vulnerable members of our community.”
While individuals and families are encouraged to bring necessary items such as changes of clothes, bedding, toiletries, essential medication, and comfort items for themselves and their children, it is not required. The most important thing is that those in need have a warm and safe place to stay during these freezing temperatures.
