County of Mecklenburg issued the following announcement on Jan. 21.
In response to the new round of extreme weather forecasted this weekend, Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office (CMEMO), Roof Above and the Salvation Army Center of Hope continue to work together to support the needs of people experiencing homelessness during this extreme weather event.
Throughout COVID-19, the City and County have worked with our shelter partners, Roof Above and Salvation Army, to expand shelter bed capacity in our community. This has allowed the shelters to practice safe social distancing measures based on The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mecklenburg County Public Health guidance at all of their sheltering locations. The County's Public Health Department's COVID-19 Unit will continue to work with the shelter partners to provide resources as needed. Atrium Health has also provided 75,000 face masks to the shelters to help keep individuals safe.
Since Saturday, January 15, 2022, the shelters have expanded their capacity and access during Winter Storm Izzy and throughout this week due to low temperatures. The shelters will continue to maintain their expanded capacity to accommodate those who need shelter from the extreme weather this coming weekend. Expanded capacity will be available through at least Sunday, January 23, 2022.
Homeless outreach teams have been deployed to homeless encampments since January 15 to encourage anyone living unsheltered to visit a shelter or provide blankets and/or coats if they refuse to visit a shelter. Those outreach teams will continue to make contact with people experiencing homelessness to inform them of the resources available. Mecklenburg County and the shelters will be closely monitoring shelter utilization
For Men:
Roof Above provides shelter for men and expanded capacity by adding mats at their shelters. To access this shelter, men may come on site to the Lucille Giles Men's Shelter at 3410 Statesville Ave starting at 4:30 pm.
Roof Above will operate its Day Services Center from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will be limited indoor seating as well as access to restrooms. Masks will be required for entry. In addition, there will also be outdoor seating with radiated heaters in a manner that meets Mecklenburg County Public Health guidelines.
For Women & Families:
Salvation Army Center of Hope provides shelter for single women and families. During an extreme weather event, the Center expands capacity by 50 beds at its Center of Hope shelter (534 Spratt Street).
Women and families may access this shelter by calling 2-1-1 or by going to the shelter at 534 Spratt Street between 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Transportation: Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) buses will transport individuals to these shelter locations free of charge from January 20 through January 23 during the day. Riders must simply identify a shelter location to the driver.
Mecklenburg County and its partners will continue to monitor the weather and community needs.
Original source can be found here.
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