Preparing for Extreme Heat

Preparing for Extreme Heat - Summer 2023

Fryda Ochoa • June 14, 2023

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 as lead agency 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.

To read more about how we assist people experiencing homelessness during extreme heat, click here.

We will make frequent updates as we receive information. Please check back often for the latest information.

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 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.

The City of Houston, Reliant and Precinct 2 have partnered to open 22 "Beat the Heat" centers in Houston. Find the full list here.

Additionally, Harris County Precinct 2 operates ten (10) Cooling Centers during the summer months.

Monday & Wednesday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Tuesday & Thursday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m.-12 noon.

Closed for Monday, June 19 (Juneteeth Holiday) and Tuesday, July 4 (Independence Day Holiday)

For a list of locations, click here.

For a map of Harris County Precinct 4 Cooling Centers click here. For additional cooling centers and heat safety tips, visit Ready Harris.

Hope Center Houston offers services during the day such as hot showers, clothing, meals, housing connections and more. Their facility remains open to provide a cool, safe, friendly, and welcoming space escape the heat.

The center is located at 821 Peakwood Dr.

Open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily.

Extended hours of operation will take effect on days when the temperature exceeds 100 degrees.

The facility will remain open until 8 p.m.

Heat Plan Aug 27th
With the continued extreme heat, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management has activated its Heat Plan for Sunday, August 27, 2023. The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) will open the lobby, meeting rooms and restroom at the branches of their system listed below from 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
- Barbara Bush Branch Library
- Katy Branch Library
- Fairbanks Branch Library
- Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
- High Meadows Branch Library
- South Houston Branch Library
Dependent on changes in weather, HCPL may close early or not open.

A map displaying these locations is available at www.readyharris.org. Click here for more Information on HCPL, locations, and hours.
Heat Advisory Aug 11 - 13th
Houston libraries and multi-service centers will function as cooling centers during normal business hours on weekdays and Saturdays. The Central Library downtown is unavailable as a cooling center. Community centers operated by Houston Parks and Recreation Department will open to the public after the conclusion of daily programming for enrolled participants.

Anyone without air-conditioning can seek shelter at any of the following city buildings designated as cooling centers during the heat emergency. The following locations will open from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 13.
- Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.
- Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, 4410 Reed Rd.
- Moody Community Center, 3725 Fulton St.
- The YMCA of Greater Houston will also provide a resource for people needing to seek relief.
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) will open the lobby, meeting rooms, and restroom at the branches of their system listed below from 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Sunday, August 13, 2023.
- Barbara Bush Branch Library
- Katy Branch Library
- Fairbanks Branch Library
- Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
- High Meadows Branch Library
- Crosby Edith Fae Cook Branch Library
- South Houston Branch Library
Dependent on changes in weather, HCPL may close early or not open. A map displaying these locations is available at www.readyharris.org.
Heat Advisory July 31 - Aug 6th
The City of Houston is activating its Public Health Heat Emergency Plan to provide resources to people needing to take refuge from the heat.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory that will remain in effect through at least Tuesday evening. It expects dangerous heat to persist for the remainder of the week and into the weekend.

City of Houston libraries and multi-service centers will serve as cooling centers during their normal business hours weekdays and Saturdays. The Central Library downtown is unavailable as a cooling site. Community centers operated by Houston Parks and Recreation Department will open to the public after the conclusion of daily programming for enrolled participants.

People may seek air-conditioning in city multi-service centers and libraries during normal business hours. Gymnasiums are open Monday through Friday 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and non-gymnasiums from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To find the nearest cooling center location or an air-conditioned city facility, people can call 3-1-1 for more information.

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) will open the lobby, meeting rooms and restroom at the branches of their system listed below from 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Sunday, August 6, 2023.
- Barbara Bush Branch Library
- Katy Branch Library
- Fairbanks Branch Library
- Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
- High Meadows Branch Library
- Crosby Edith Fae Cook Branch Library
- South Houston Branch Library
Read the full heat emergency plan from the City of Houston here.
Heat Advisory July 12 - 16th
The City of Houston is re-activating its Public Health Heat Emergency Plan, providing resources for people to take refuge from extreme heat Wednesday (July 12) through Sunday (July 16).

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 Houston Parks and Recreation Department will open to the public after the conclusion of daily programming for enrolled participants.

Anyone without air-conditioning can seek shelter at any of the following city buildings designated as cooling centers during the heat emergency.

The following locations will extend their normal hours and remain open from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 16.
- Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.
- Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, 4410 Reed Rd.
- Moody Community Center, 3725 Fulton St.
The YMCA of Greater Houston will also provide a resource for people needing to seek relief.

People without adequate transportation to a designated cooling center can call 3-1-1 to request a free ride from METRO or zTrip. Transportation is only to and from the cooling centers; transportation to other locations is unavailable.

Read the full heat emergency plan from the City of Houston here.
Heat Advisory June 14 - 19th
All City of Houston libraries and multi-service centers will function as cooling centers during their normal business hours weekdays and Saturdays. Community centers operated by Houston Parks and Recreation Department will open to the public after the conclusion of daily programming for enrolled participants.

People seeking accommodation due to disability, access or functional need can visit the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 W. Gray Street, but everyone is welcome all city sites.

Sunday, June 18, and Monday, June 19, 2023
Anyone without air-conditioning can seek shelter at any of the following city buildings designated as cooling centers during the heat emergency. The locations will extend their normal hours and remain open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 18, and Monday, June 19 (City of Houston Juneteenth holiday).
- Tidwell Community Center, 9720 Spaulding St.
- Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 W. Gray St.
- Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.
- Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center, 4410 Reed Rd.
- Central Library, 500 McKinney St.
People without adequate transportation to a designated cooling center can call 3-1-1 to request a free ride from METRO or zTrip. Transportation is only to and from the cooling centers; transportation to other locations is unavailable.

Read the full heat emergency plan from the City of Houston here.

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@homelesshouston.org and Fryda at fochoa@homlesshouston.org .

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