Austin to open cold-weather shelters Sunday through Thursday
AUSTIN (KXAN) - As Austin sees temperatures drop Sunday night, the city of Austin will open its overnight cold weather shelters from Jan. 5 through Jan. 9.
Registration to stay at the shelters will occur each day between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center, located at 505 Barton Springs Road, the city said. The location will also act as a central transportation point for people seeking overnight shelter.
The city said its shelters open when forecasted overnight temperatures at Camp Mabry are expected to reach 35 degrees or below.
Transportation to a cold-weather shelter
Bus routes to the One Texas Center are lines: 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 142 and 801. The city said those needing a ride to a cold-weather shelter without a way to pay will still be given a ride.
An after-hours transportation service will still be available to those seeking shelter outside of the original departure period.
The city encouraged anyone needing a warm place to sleep at night to use the service. For more information about using a cold-weather shelter, you can call the cold-weather hotline at 512-972-5055.
Cold-weather shelter guidelines
- Guests can bring their belongings as long as they can be easily transported to the One Texas Center and onto a CapMetro bus.
- The city said pets are allowed as long as they are not aggressive, can be around others, and can sleep with their owners. A crate for the evening at the shelters can be provided upon request by a guest when registering at the One Texas Center.
- Meals will be provided to guests staying at a cold-weather shelter, according to the city.
- Women and couples can stay at the same shelter but in a separate area, as capacity allows.
- The city said hotel vouchers can be provided to families with children and unaccompanied minors seeking shelter during the cold-weather period.
The city said it does not include a list of cold-weather shelter locations for various reasons such as managing capacity limits and privacy concerns.