Emergency shelters in Broward to remain open through February 6 amid ongoing cold snap
Broward County, Florida – Broward County officials and community partners are keeping emergency shelters open for longer to make sure that people who are homeless have a secure place to stay as the weather in South Florida remains cold. The nightly cold weather shelters will stay open until Friday night, February 6, because the weather forecasts still show that temperatures will be extremely low in the area.
The Broward County Housing Options, Solutions, and Supports Division is in charge of the project, which is being done with the help of local service groups. Since the cold weather response started on Monday, January 26, around 1,000 people have been given a place to sleep at night. According to county data, 984 people have been admitted so far, with an average of around 140 people each night.
The Salvation Army in Fort Lauderdale helps people find shelter every day. People who need help should go to the location at 1445 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 33312, starting at 5:30 p.m. every night to get a bed. There are meals available, and dinner is offered at 4:30 p.m. for individuals who want to eat before placement.
Officials point out that there isn’t much room in the shelters and that people who get there first get the spot. Outreach partners and residents are encouraged to notify unsheltered individuals in their neighborhoods about the availability of these cold weather accommodations so they can seek shelter before nighttime temperatures drop.
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County administrators say that how long the emergency shelter is open depends on the weather. If the weather changes and gets warmer, shelter nights may be cut short or canceled. On the other hand, if the weather stays cold, the shelter period could be lengthened to keep vulnerable groups safe.
People who have questions about how cold weather shelters work or who need help getting someone in touch with services should call the Homeless Helpline at 954-563-4357.
County officials said that the ongoing reaction shows that everyone is working together to keep people safe and give them quick help during a time of long-lasting cold weather.
