As winter sets in and temperatures drop, Santa Clara County officials are actively working with all jurisdictions and providers to ramp up warming centers and associated services for homeless individuals and families, according to county staff.
“Warming centers and shelters can help save the lives of our most vulnerable children, seniors, veterans and individuals,” said District 1 Supervisor Mike Wasserman, who is South County’s representative. “A simple cold or flu can turn deadly for someone living outdoors when temperatures drop.”
During extreme cold temperatures that warrant a declaration of inclement weather, the county’s Office of Supportive Housing implements the Inclement Weather Plan, which supplements the regular, ongoing cold weather shelter program.
Overnight temperatures are expected to continue to dip into the mid-30 degrees, according to the local forecast.
There were an estimated 7,394 homeless individuals within the county and 388 in Morgan Hill, according to the 2017 Santa Clara County Homeless Census and Survey Report.
“We expand outreach and services for the homeless to reduce instances of hypothermia and frostbite caused by extreme weather including the cold, wind and rain,” said Michelle Covert, housing and homeless concerns coordinator for OSH. “Many of the homeless reside in encampments in creek areas and are at increased risk due to health conditions.”
Components of the Inclement Weather Plan include expanded shelter services, outreach to encampments by the county’s Valley Homeless Healthcare Program, warming centers and the monitoring of homeless persons treated for cold weather injuries at local hospitals.
Homeless individuals can register to receive text messages about services as follows:
• Simply address a text message to: 888777
• Type HOMELESS in the message
• Send the message
During declared Inclement Weather Episodes, up to 192 additional beds will be available at the following locations: Bill Wilson Center (691 S 2nd St., San Jose), City Team Ministries (1174 Old Bayshore Hwy, San Jose), HomeFirst’s Boccardo Reception Center (2011 Little Orchard Street San Jose), the Gilroy Armory (8490 Wren Avenue, Gilroy), LifeMoves Georgia Travis House (260 Commercial Street), Montgomery Street Inn (358 N Montgomery St, San Jose), Project WeHOPE (1854 Bay Rd, East Palo Alto) and the Salvation Army (405 North 4th Street, San Jose).
Valley Transportation Authority’s 68 bus provides public transportation has pickups as far south as Gilroy through Morgan Hill and goes north to downtown San Jose to the Diridon Transit Center.
The Office of Supportive Housing recommends that those wanting to assist the homeless during winter months donate new or slightly used cold weather gear such as hats, socks, gloves, sleeping bags, shoes, coats and blankets. Items can be dropped off at HomeFirst, 2011 Little Orchard Street (main entrance is on Cimino Street) or Sacred Heart Community Services (visit sacredheartcs.org for hours and location).
• Avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day, or for extended periods of time in extreme cold weather
• Dress in layers
• Wear a hat, scarf and gloves/mittens
• Wear waterproof, insulated boots to avoid hypothermia or frostbite
• Get out of wet clothes as soon as possible
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol if you will be staying outside
Gilroy Winter Shelter
National Guard Armory
8490 Wren Avenue
(408) 848-8023 (during operating hours only) or (408) 489-8781
6pm to 6am daily
• 130 beds (increases to 180 during inclement weather)
• Adults and families
• Serves by referrals
Ochoa Winter Family Shelter
Arturo Ochoa Migrant Center
Southside Road
Gilroy 95020
(408) 842-6662, ext. 21
• 35 families
• St. Josephs handles referral
By referral
Individual family units, case management
