PHILADELPHIA – With another week of bitter cold temperatures forecast, the City announced that it has enhanced its Code Blue services by opening a ‘warming center‘ at Cione Recreation Center at 2600 Aramingo Avenue to serve individuals in need of shelter in the surrounding Kensington-Fairhill section of the City.  The center will open at 5pm today and operate through January 2, 2pm, to those in need of shelter and warmth.   The Center will provide hot drinks, blankets and toiletries to those in need, as well as, mental health and drug and alcohol outreach services.  This continues the City’s focused efforts to address homelessness and opioid addiction in Kensington-Fairhill, particularly as the Code Blue status remains in effect.

These enhanced services are a collaboration of the Office of Homeless Services, the Departments of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Philadelphia Police Department, Office of Emergency Management and the Outreach Coordination Center operated by Project HOME.

The Code Blue that took effect in Philadelphia on Christmas Day remains in effect, as frigid temperatures and wind chills are forecast throughout the upcoming week.  The City’s homeless outreach teams will continue patrolling streets, urging homeless individuals to come inside from the cold temperatures.  Outreach teams and first responders will also continually monitor individuals who are particularly vulnerable due to mental illness.

The Office of Homeless Services is providing as many as 500 extra beds throughout the winter season to ensure shelter for anyone in need during the Code Blue.

City officials are asking the public to call the Homeless Outreach hotline at 215-232-1984 at any time if they see a homeless person sleeping on the street. Homeless outreach teams are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.