Preparing for Extreme Heat - Summer 2022
We will use this page to post and share information about upcoming extreme heat and resources for people experiencing homelessness as it becomes available.
I'm experiencing homelessness, and I need help.
During a declared Public Health Heat Emergency Plan, people in the City of Houston without adequate transportation to a designated cooling center can call 3-1-1 to request a free ride from METRO. Transportation is only to and from the cooling centers; transportation to other locations is unavailable.
To find out whether the Public Health Heat Emergency Plan has been activated, visit the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Website.
Cooling Centers
Throughout the summer
Beat The Heat Cooling Centers
A Cooling Center is an air-conditioned facility where Precinct 2 residents can go to find relief from the heat. The Houston Health Department operates 11 multi-service centers where residents can go to stay cool. You can find a list of locations and more details here. Or you can view the flyer.
Additionally, Harris County Precinct 2 operates ten (10) Cooling Centers during the summer months.
Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.-12 noon.
Closed for Monday, June 20 (Juneteeth Holiday) and Monday, July 4 (Independence Day Holiday)
For a list of locations, view the flyer.
For the latest updates
The Coalition will share information and resources on its Facebook and Twitter accounts as it becomes available.
Local Emergency Management Authorities
For information about whether local jurisdictions will be opening cooling centers.
| Jurisdiction | Website |
|---|---|
| City of Houston | https://houstonemergency.org/ |
| City of Pasadena | https://www.pasadenatx.gov/185/Emergency-Management |
| Harris County | https://www.readyharris.org/ |
| Montgomery County | https://mctxoem.org/ |
| Fort Bend County | https://fbcoem.org/ |
For the latest forecast, visit https://www.weather.gov/forecastmaps
Extreme Heat Q&A
What does the homeless response system do to prepare for the upcoming extreme heat?
- The Coalition for the Homeless works with local government agencies, including the City of Houston and Harris County, as well as partner agencies of The Way Home Continuum of Care to ensure that people living unsheltered (on the streets) are informed about and protected from the extreme heat.
- Outreach teams — the front-line staff who interact with people living unsheltered (i.e., on the streets or in encampments) — spread the word that we are likely to be hit by extreme heat and hand out hot weather supplies (bottled water, handheld fans, cooling towels, sunscreen, etc.) and offer rides to cooling centers when possible.
I would like to help.
To Donate
The Coalition for the Homeless serves as an administrative agency, providing leadership and coordination to local direct service providers.
Please consider supporting our work to help us respond to crises and solve homelessness in our community.
For Local Homeless Response Agencies
Operations Updates
If you would like us to include information on this page about your agency's operations during the extreme heat, please send that information to Catherine at cvillarreal [at] homelesshouston.org and Allison at azapata [at] homelesshouston [dot] org.
