Warming Centers and Winter Dangers
As 2024 ends and temperatures start to freeze, we must consider people living unhoused and their safety. Low temperatures and negative wind chills are common during this time of year. The average low temperatures in our Continuum of Care from December to February range from 15-19 degrees in addition to at least 6 inches of snowfall. Without shelter from these conditions, it is an unfortunate reality that people will die. During this time, we encourage you to be vigilant in looking out for our unhoused neighbors.
The most immediate danger from living unsheltered is hypothermia. When your body is cold, you lose heat faster than you can produce more and over time your body’s uses up its stored energy, which further decreases body temperature. Hypothermia can cause confusion and limited mobility. This can make hypothermia especially dangerous, because folx may not know that it’s happening or be able to prevent it.
Hypothermia may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
Shivering
Exhaustion
Confusion
Fumbling hands
Memory loss
Slurred speech
Drowsiness
If you see somebody suffering from these signs, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends calling for medical attention immediately. If you are not able to get medical help right away, following these steps could potentially save a life:
Move the person into a warm building.
Remove any wet layers of outerwear.
Warm the center of the person’s body—chest, neck, head—using an electric blanket, if possible.
Encourage warm drinks (non-alcoholic) to help increase body temperature.
Keep the person dry and wrap them in a warm blanket after body temperature increases.
If you or a loved one is living unhoused, the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) suggests following these tips to help keep you safe and warm:
Find a place to sleep that is out of the wind.
Wear as much clothing as possible, especially around your core (stomach, back, and chest).
Make sure your clothing is loose.
Put something under your sleeping bag to prevent ground moisture from seeping in.
If your sleeping bag is too big, fill up empty space with extra clothes or newspaper.
Keep your face outside your sleeping bag so that the moisture from your breathing does not get into the bag. Wear a warm hat and scarf to keep your head and neck warm.
Avoid drinking a lot of fluid at night, so you won’t have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
If you can, eat a big dinner with lots of calories. Calories are a unit of heat.
Keep a snack with you for the middle of the night, so if you do wake up cold, you can replace lost calories.
Don’t drink alcohol. Alcohol slows down your circulation and can cause you to lose body heat, especially in your hands and feet.
Especially during this time when exposure can result in death, we cannot treat homelessness as a personal failure or blame unhoused folx for their circumstances. While we do not encourage homelessness, we do not believe it should be criminalized it either.
With this in mind, we are committed to connecting people with providers that can offer support as well as proactively sharing opportunities that will help save lives.
Warming Centers:
During our region’s coldest months, several of our community partners host warming centers across the metro area. Each facility has its own requirements, services, and daily capacities so we recommend staying tuned to each organization’s social media channels for information and updates and calling for availability.
Generation Diamond
Open Monday-Thursday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM.
4829 S. 25th Street Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68107
402-552-7496
Heartland Family Service Peer Center (IA)
Open Monday-Thursday from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM unless agency is closed. Individuals who are banned/barred from peer center will not be permitted.
3415 West Broadway Suite B, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Heartland Family Service Peer Center (NE)
Open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday-Thursday except holidays (Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years Day, MLK Jr. Day) or if agency closes.
3300 N 60th St Building B, Omaha, NE 68104 (Look for signs for NE Peer Center)
402-552-7496
New Visions Homeless Services
Open to all ages and genders starting January 6, 2025 through April 4, 2025 from 9 AM to 4 PM Monday-Friday and offers breakfast and lunch daily. Folx banned from shelter are still welcome at warming center.
1607 Avenue I, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
712-307-0889
Open Door Mission
Open 7 days a week from 12 PM to 6 PM when the temperature is below freezing (32º F) or during a winter weather advisory. Men, women, and families are welcome, and lunch and dinner are available to guests at 12 PM and 6 PM, respectively.
2705 N. 20th Street East, Omaha, NE 68110
402-422-1111
Salvation Army - Heritage Place/Renaissance Village
Open from 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays (Monday-Friday) during below-freezing temperatures or when a weather advisory is in effect.
3612 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131
402-898-7700
Salvation Army - Kroc Center
Open from 7 AM to 7 PM on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays during below-freezing temperatures or when a weather advisory is in effect.
2825 Y Street, Omaha, NE 68107
402-898-7700
Salvation Army - North Corps
Open from 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays (Monday-Friday) during below-freezing temperatures or when a weather advisory is in effect.
2424 Pratt Street, Omaha, NE 68111
402-898-7700
Siena Francis House
Open 7 days a week from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm to individuals 19 and older on any day when the temperature is forecasted to be 20 degrees or below, or when a weather watch or warning is in effect.
1117 N. 17th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102
402-341-1821 (Call to confirm availability)
Youth Emergency Services (YES) Outreach Center
Open December through March on weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 9 AM to 5 PM to guests 25 and younger.
2602 Harney Street, Omaha, NE 68131
402-345-5187