HOUSTON — The Arctic blast is here and temperatures have dropped into the 20s and teens in some areas. That could be downright dangerous for people who don't have a warm place to stay.
City of Houston warming centers initially set to open at 8 p.m. Monday instead opened early at 3 p.m. Officials said cots and bedding won't be provided at some of the city-run centers, only chairs.
As of Monday morning, more than 700 people checked into warming centers around Houston. The Fonde Community Center was reportedly nearing capacity and people seeking shelter were urged to head to one of the other centers.
Fort Bend County and other parts of Southeast Texas also opened centers to help keep people warm.
Houston, Harris County warming centers
Pets are allowed at the City of Houston warming centers but they may be required to stay in kennels provided by BARC.
Acres Homes Multi-Service Center
- 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.
- METRO: 44 – Acres Homes stop @ W. Montgomery & Wilburforce
Bayland Community Center (crated pets allowed)
- 6400 Bissonnet St.
Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center
- 6402 Market St.
- METRO: 48 Market stop @ Market & Rouse
Downtown Recovery Center
- 150 Chenevert St.
- METRO: 48 Market stop @ Runnels & East Dr.
Fonde Community Center
- 110 Sabine St.
- METRO: 30 Clinton/Ella stop @ Memorial & Houston
Metropolitan Multi-Service Center at W. Gray
- 1745 W. Gray St.
- METRO: 32 Renwick/San Felipe stop @ W. Gray & Waugh
Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center
- 4410 Reed Rd.
- METRO: 29 Cullen/Hirsch stop @ Cullen & Wilmington
Gallery Furniture North Freeway location
Lakewood Church
Alief Family YMCA
Greenhouse International Church
- 200 W. Greens Rd.
R.O.C.K. Church
Community Works CDC
Free Rides to Houston warming centers
The City of Houston will offer free rides to these locations for anyone who needs assistance. To arrange for a ride, please contact 311.
Website: https://www.houstontx.gov/311/
Customer Portal: https://houston311.powerappsportals.us/en-US/
Email: 311@houstontx.gov
Phone: 311 (inside city limits) or 713-837-0311
Ever Gonzalez and his 6-year-old service dog, Cam, are among those riding out the arctic blast at the Bayland Community Center.
"They’ve got food, water, blankets, everything, no problem at all,” Gonzalez said. "It helps, it does help, it shows compassion from the city to the homeless society, and to people who are less fortunate right now, including myself."
According to organizers, the Bayland Community Center will remain open 24 hours a day until 9 p.m. Wednesday and adults, children, and pets that are crated are all welcome.
Fort Bend County warming centers
As the hard freeze hits the Houston area, Fort Bend County has taken proactive measures by opening warming centers to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
Attack Poverty/Friends of North Rosenberg
- 1908 Avenue E., Rosenberg, TX 77471.
- Sunday, January 14, through Tuesday, January 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Free WiFi, cots, blankets and food.
Landmark Community Center
- 100 Louisiana St., Missouri City, TX 77489
- Tuesday, January 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
These Fort Bend County library branches will also be open as warming centers.
- Albert George Branch Library, 9230 Gene Street, Needville, TX 77461 (281-238-2850)
- Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Ctr. Blvd., Katy, TX 77494 (281-395-1311)
- First Colony Branch Library, 2121 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 (281-238-2800)
- Fulshear Branch Library, 6350 GM Library Rd, Fulshear, TX 77469 (281-341-2718)
- George Memorial Library, 1001 Gulfview Drive, Richmond, TX 77469 (281-342-4455)
- Mamie George Library, 320 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477 (281-238-2880)
- Mission Bend Library, 8421 Addicks Clodine Rd., Houston, TX 77083 (832-471-5900)
- Missouri City Library, 1530 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, TX 77489 (281-238-2100)
- Sienna Branch Library, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd., Missouri City, TX 77459 (281-238-2140)
- Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 (281-238-2140)
- University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77479 (281-633-5100)
- Willie Melton Law Library, 1422 Eugene Heimann Cir., Richmond, TX 77469 (281-341-3718)
Free rides to warming centers in Fort Bend County
If you're in Fort Bend County and need a ride to a warming center, call 281-633-7433.
Cleveland ISD warming centers
Up in Liberty County, Cleveland ISD will open two warming centers for enrolled students with IDs and their families from Sunday at 9 a.m. to Tuesday at 5 a.m.
The locations are Cleveland Middle School at 2000 Houston St. and Santa Fe Middle School at 7581 County Road 3540.
Families should bring their own food, drinks, blankets and pillows. Pets are not allowed.
