Malloy Urges Homeless to Seek Shelter in Cold Weather

With temperatures expected to dip into single digits and below 0 degrees in some areas tonight, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is urging anyone in need of shelter from the extraordinary winter cold now covering the state to call 2-1-1.

The state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) and the Department of Social Services (DSS), at Malloy’s direction, is coordinating with 2-1-1, the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and Connecticut’s shelters to ensure that people are protected.

“As bitter as Friday night temperatures may have seemed, it is Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights when the worst of the cold is expected to arrive” Malloy said in a statement. “Last night we successfully handled 46 requests for shelter from people who called 2-1-1. That’s a real success story: It means about 50 people who might have been at serious risk from the weather are safe and warm instead.”

Overnight ambient temperatures are expected to range from near zero along the shoreline to well below zero in the northwestern and northeastern Connecticut. Wind chills will subtract an additional 10 degrees from the effective temperature.

There are shelters throughout the state such as MACC Samaritan Shelter at 466 Main St. in Manchester.

Under the state’s Severe Cold Alert system, DEMHS activates its WebEOC communications network – an Internet-based system that allows local, regional and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information about a variety of situations and conditions. The system is used to monitor capacity at shelters across the state, enabling 2-1-1 to act as a clearinghouse to ensure shelter space is found for those who need it. Local officials, working through WebEOC, can alert 2-1-1 and the state when they open temporary shelters or warming centers.

The state Department of Social Services coordinates with 2-1-1 and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, as well as working with existing vendors to resolve any transportation issues for people needing shelter during the period of severe cold.