PHILADELPHIA, January 7, 2025 — Managing Director Adam K. Thiel, alongside City officials, shared details about the City’s newly opened Warming Centers across the city as the Parker Administration continues to expand services and resources available within communities, particularly what happens during a Code Blue and how to get help.
During a press conference at the Juniata Older Adult Center, City officials from the Office of Homeless Services, Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and Free Library of Philadelphia were joined by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District) and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), Chair of Council’s Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homelessness Committee to provided information about the initiative and its progress so far.
Currently, these Warming Center locations are open to residents looking to stay warm. Please note that warming center locations can be subject to change as this new initiative continues to be implemented. In fact, following the news conference, the Juniata Older Adult Center location in Kensington was replaced by the nearby Scanlon Recreation Center.
The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) reported on January 7, 2025, that an additional 962 individuals have visited a City Warming Center since last reported on Monday, January 6, 2025. This brings the total number of individuals who have accessed a City Warming Center to at least 1,005 people.
Due to the extremely cold conditions, the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) declared a Code Blue on Thursday, January 2, until further notice. During this time, the City implemented special measures to keep people who are homeless safe. If you see someone who needs shelter, call (215) 232-1984.
Additional Resources
-How to access a shelter bed: Call the Homeless Street Outreach Team at (215) 232-1984 or walk into any City-funded intake center.
-Where to find a food site: Find a nearby site for free groceries and/or prepacked boxes of food at phila.gov/food.
About Warming Centers
The Office of Homeless Services, in partnership with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department, The Free Library of Philadelphia, and Project HOME, opens warming centers during a Code Blue or Snow Emergency declaration. Anyone who needs a warm indoor place to stay may visit a warming center or daytime drop-in center, where food is also available. They may also call the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbility’s Homeless Street Outreach Team at (215) 232-1984 to get a ride to one.
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