New elevated code triggers warming center activation
PHILADELPHIA — The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) has elevated the current Code Blue it declared on December 11, to an Enhanced Code Blue. The Code Blue’s expected duration of three or more nights in a row meets the threshold for an Enhanced Code Blue declaration, effective at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, until further notice.
During this Enhanced Code Blue, OHS, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and City and nonprofit provider partners will open several warming centers at Philadelphia Parks and Recreation centers, Philadelphia Free Library locations and other sites throughout Philadelphia. This is the second season of the City’s Warming Center Initiative implementation, a response Mayor Cherelle L. Parker created in January 2025.
Open to anyone in the city who needs to get inside and out of the cold, the warming centers will be available along with the 400 or so extra shelter beds OHS brings online each winter and as many as 50 more beds it makes available during every Code Blue declaration.
“We do not want anyone to spend a single night on a sidewalk, below an underpass, in an alleyway or on someone’s stoop,” said Cheryl Hill, Executive Director, OHS. “Thanks to Mayor Parker’s recognition of cold weather dangers and what our most vulnerable residents need, we will have enough beds for anyone who needs one. Plus, in the event our beds are filled our warming centers will be an option that will save lives.”
What else will happen during the Enhanced Code Blue
OHS, the Department of Behavioral and Health and DisAbilityServices (DBHIDS), the Department of Public Health, Office of Public Safety, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia Police Department, and other City partners will deploy extra outreach teams to engage with people they see living or sleeping outdoors. They may offer rides to a warming center or intake center where OHS and/or DBHIDS staff can help with shelter placement or other services like substance use disorder treatment or Stranded Traveler Assistance.
During any Code Blue, OHS activates a sitewide alert across the City of Philadelphia website and shares the declaration on its Instagram and X social media accounts.
When an Enhanced Code Blue is declared however, OEM publishes to the City’s website, an interactive warming center map with site access in each Councilmanic district. Visit https://bit.ly/WarmingCtrs to find a nearby warming center and hours of operation.
“This Enhanced Code Blue response is an all-hands-on-deck, around-the-clock operation,” said Dominick Mireles, Deputy Managing Director of Community Safety, MDO. “The Emergency Operations Center will activate Saturday night to coordinate the services from our City partners. We are ready to support our most vulnerable Philadelphians, so please use these services during the dangerous cold.”
Warming centers accept walk-ins, or, if someone needs a ride, anyone may call (215) 232-1984 to arrange one. Warming center locations can be subject to change over the course of the Enhanced Code Blue, so it’s important to check the map before traveling to one. In addition to providing a warm place to sleep at night, warming centers will have on hand snacks and water.
“Our goal, along with every one of our City and nonprofit partners, is to ensure everyone has somewhere warm to stay while we’re experiencing this extended period of freezing cold weather. If you’re someone who sleeps outside or a family whose home has lost heat or electricity, you are welcome at a warming center,” said Hill.
Learn more about the winter weather outlook, impacts and City preparations from OEM’s latest blog.
About the Office of Homeless Services
The mission of the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) is to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. OHS works with more than 70 homeless housing and service providers, as well as city, state, and federal governments. This system provides homelessness prevention and diversion aid, along with emergency and temporary housing, to people who are experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness.