Cold Weather Shelter Program
Austin 's lack of shelter space forces many homeless people to sleep outside during winter months. Several years ago, Front Steps and Austin Area Interreligious Ministries (AAIM) developed the Cold Weather Shelter Program, coordinating local churches and community volunteers to provide shelter in church facilities on nights when the temperature drops to freezing. The volunteer-staffed shelters offer warm blankets, a hot meal, and a welcoming environment to homeless families, single adults, and youth.
In 2004, the Cold Weather Shelters opened on nights with temperatures 32º (and dry) or 35º (and wet) for a total of 26 nights, serving 1,693 individuals. However, Austin 's homeless still spend many close to freezing nights on the street. We hope for the future involvement of more churches and volunteers, allowing the Cold Weather Shelter Program to provide shelter on cold nights that might not drop below freezing.
David Blackwell,
Client Services Specialist