Preparing for Extreme Heat - Summer 2024
We will use this page to post and share information about upcoming extreme heat and resources for people experiencing homelessness as it becomes available.
The Coalition for the Homeless (CFTH) as designated coordinator to The Way Home Continuum of Care (CoC) works with local governmental entities to advocate on behalf of people experiencing homelessness to ensure their needs are being considered as extreme heat affects our region.
We will make frequent updates as we receive information. Please check back often for the latest information.
Last updated Tuesday, August 20th, @ 11:45 a.m.
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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
City of Houston
Houston libraries and multi-service centers will function as cooling centers during normal business hours. The Central Library Downtown is unavailable as a cooling center. Community centers operated by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department will open to the public after conclusion of daily programming for enrolled participants. For updated information visit their website - https://www.houstonoem.org/
Harris County
With the continued extreme heat, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management has activated its Heat Plan. The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) system will open the lobby, meeting rooms, and restrooms at the branches to serve as cooling centers. Dependent on weather changes, HCPL may close early or not open.
A map displaying these locations is available at www.readyharris.org. Click here for the most up-to-date information regarding HCPL cooling centers, locations, and hours. Days and hours of operation may vary daily by location.
Harris County cooling center operations.
Precinct 2
During the summer months, residents can access the nine cooling centers that Precinct 2 has open. For updated information visit their website - https://www.hcp2.com/News/Cooling-Centers
Precinct 2 Cooling Centers
Bay Area Community Center
- 5002 East NASA Parkway, Seabrook, TX 77586
East Harris County Activity Center
- 7340 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX 77505
Felix Baldree Community Center
- 13828 Corpus Christi Street, Houston, TX 77015
Hardy Community Center
- 11901 West Hardy Road, Houston, TX 77076
Leonel Castillo Community Center
- 2101 South Street, Houston, TX 77009
Mangum-Howell Community Center
- 2500 Frick Road, Houston, TX 77038
Martin Flukinger Community Center
- 16003 Lorenzo Street, Channelview, TX 77530
Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center
- 10918 1/2 Bentley Street, Houston, TX 77093
JD Walker Community Center
- 7613 Wade Road, Baytown, TX 77521
Protective Actions
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat without proper hydration and other precautionary actions may result in heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
For more information on keeping yourself, your family, and your pets safe during extreme heat, visit: https://www.houstonemergency.org/extreme-heat-tips-to-stay-cool/
Houston Heat Advisories
Week of August 19
- The City of Houston will offer cooling centers on Tuesday, August 20 for those in need to escape the heat. Free rides are available to the cooling centers by contacting 3-1-1. For the full list of cooling centers visit the OEM website: https://www.houstonoem.org/pages/heatemergency24
- The City of Houston will offer cooling centers on Monday, August 19 for those in need to escape the heat. Free rides are available to the cooling centers by contacting 3-1-1. For the full list of cooling centers visit the OEM website: https://www.houstonoem.org/pages/heatemergency24
August 16
The City of Houston will offer cooling centers on Friday, August 16 for those in need to escape the heat. Free rides are available to the cooling centers by contacting 3-1-1.
For the full list of cooling centers visit the OEM website: https://www.houstonoem.org/pages/heatemergency24
August 13
The City of Houston will offer cooling centers on Tuesday, August 13 for those in need to escape the heat. Free rides are available to the cooling centers by contacting 3-1-1.
For the full list of cooling centers visit the OEM website: https://www.houstonoem.org/pages/heatemergency24
Weekend of August 3
The City of Houston will offer 63 cooling centers on Saturday, August 3 for those in need to escape the heat. Free rides are available to the cooling centers by contacting 3-1-1.
You can find the full list here.
July 9
The City of Houston will offer 80 cooling centers on Friday, August 9 for those in need to escape the heat. Free rides are available to the cooling centers by contacting 3-1-1.
For the full list of cooling centers visit the OEM website: https://www.houstonoem.org/pages/heatemergency24
July 15 - 19
For information on cooling centers following Hurricane Beryl, please visit our Hurricane Beryl Resource Page.
July 9 - 13
For information on cooling centers following Hurricane Beryl, please visit our Hurricane Beryl Resource Page.
July 4
Cooling CentersResidents seeking relief from extreme heat may access the City of Houton's publicly accessible facilities during hours of operation, including Multi-Service Centers and libraries.
Find the list of available cooling centers below.
Weekend of June 28
Houston libraries will function as cooling centers during normal business hours on Saturday. The Central Library downtown is unavailable as a cooling center due to street closures in the area. Select community centers will be open throughout the city on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Moody Community Center, 3725 Fulton, and the Metropolitan Multiservice Center, 1475 W. Gray St., will be open from 10 – 6pm.
The following locations will open on Sunday, June 30:
Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Rd. (12 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, 4410 Reed Rd. (12 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Kashmere Multi-Service Center 4802 Lockwood Dr. (12 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Moody Community Center 3725 Fulton St. (2 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Metropolitan Multiservice Center, 1475 W. Gray St. (2 p.m. - 6 p.m.)
Additionally, the YMCA of Greater Houston will open its locations on both days for people needing to seek relief.
June 26
Cooling CentersThe National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Heat index values are forecast to exceed 108 degrees.
Residents seeking relief from extreme heat may access the City of Houton's publicly accessible facilities during hours of operation, including Multi-Service Centers and libraries.
Find the list of available cooling centers below.
Local Emergency Management Authorities
For information about whether local jurisdictions will be opening cooling centers.
| Jurisdiction | Website |
|---|---|
| City of Houston | https://www.houstonoem.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?
- CFTH 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.
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CFTH 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@homelesshouston.org and Fryda at fochoa@homlesshouston.org.
2000 Crawford St., Suite 700
Houston, TX 77002
*Please note we do not provide onsite services for people experiencing homelessness. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call 211.
(713) 739-7514