ARCH Services - Shelter
The ARCH and Front Steps offer three different kinds of shelter including Day Sleep, Emergency Overnight Shelter/Night Sleep, and Cold Weather Shelter, which occurs during the winter months (November through February).
Day Sleep
Day sleep is provided to homeless individuals who are unable to use the overnight shelter due to overnight employment, medical reasons, or lack of space. ARCH clients who have proof of overnight employment, were turned away after participating in the overnight shelter lottery, and/or are female can sign up for day sleep daily before 8 am. All clients interested in using day sleep must shower at the ARCH before checking into a bed, and a current Tuberculosis test is required within 2 weeks of checking into day sleep for the first time.
Emergency Overnight Shelter/Night Sleep
Night sleep is provided on a nightly basis for up to 215 men. Normal capacity is 175 men; however, we're operating at our expanded capacity of 215 men throughout the winter months. The ARCH has no overnight sleep available for women. A number of beds are reserved for clients participating in the Case Management program. The remaining beds and mats are distributed through a lottery system. The lottery takes place between 6:00 and 6:30 pm nightly. You are encouraged to begin getting in line before 6:00 pm, but not before 5:30 pm.
All clients who receive a place to sleep (bed or mat) must shower at the ARCH before lying down. Meals will be provided to those clients on reserved beds in Case Management, and to those getting a low enough number in the lottery to receive a bed.
Due to limited capacity, there will be nights when not all clients will be admitted to the overnight shelter. In the event that you are turned away, you can sign up with the night staff for a day bed for the following morning. Clients participating in overnight shelter who leave before 3:00 am (without prior Case Manager approval) will face an automatic 2 week suspension.
Cold Weather Shelter
The Cold Weather Shelter Program goes into effect on nights when temperatures are expected to fall below 32º or 35º and wet (rain, sleet, or snow). In addition to the church shelters and expansion at the Salvation Army, the City will open secondary shelters once these options are full.
If you are in need of shelter on a freeze night (between November and February):
• Call (305-ICEE) after Noon for updated information on overnight low temperatures and church shelter openings.
• If you have further questions, you can call the ARCH front desk (305-4100) for more information. Printed information is also posted at the ARCH at noon.
• On freeze nights, single women can go directly to the church (which will be posted) after 6:00 pm. If you need to arrive at the church later than 8:00 pm, please call the ARCH front desk and ask to speak to a manager to make arrangements.
• Men wanting to go to a church shelter need to be at the ARCH (500 E. 7th Street) no later than 5:15 pm for a lottery. Capital Metro provides transportation to and from the men’s churches.
• Families needing shelter should go to the Salvation Army (501 E. 8th Street).
• Additional mat sleeping is available at the Salvation Army anytime the temperature is predicted to drop below 40 degrees. You must show up at the Salvation Army by 8:00 pm to access this secondary shelter.
• You must bring your blankets to the church, as they are not provided there.
• Blankets will be distributed at the ARCH, when available, during the winter months. Blanket distribution will take place on Mondays and Fridays at 1:00 pm.
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Shelter
