With the heavy rains and winds leaving the area for the foreseeable future, freezing temperatures forecast in the coming days have prompted a sixth Inclement Weather Episode declaration in recent weeks for south Santa Clara County starting Jan. 11 through Jan. 16.
Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s, according to the National Weather Service, and that has forced the county’s Office of Supportive Housing to issue the warning.
Since the start of the Cold Weather Shelter season, 461 people have been served beyond the standard capacity of the county’s Gilroy Cold Weather Shelter and Boccardo Reception Center, as well as the City of San Jose Overnight Warming Locations, which are all operated by HomeFirst.
The county’s Cold Weather Shelter Program runs from Nov. 30 through March 31. The Office of Supportive Housing can expand its shelter capacity for inclement weather when there is a forecasted overnight low of 38 degrees or lower with a probability of rain less than 50 percent; or there is a forecasted overnight low of 42 degrees or lower with a probability of rain of 50 percent or greater.
Homeless shelters in the area include:
Gilroy Armory Shelter
The Gilroy Armory will have 50 additional beds available for walk-ins, raising its total capacity to 180 beds. Clients must be onsite by 6 p.m. for intake. The shelter, located at 8490 Wren Ave., will provide a warm bed, two nutritious meals and a hot shower.
A variety of supportive services will also be offered, including guidance to help set short-term goals, employment resources, medical care and referrals to other services.
Volunteers provide haircuts. Donated toiletries and clothing are available to those who need them. Limited case management services will be provided by St. Joseph’s Family Center.
For more information, call (408) 848-8023 (during operating hours only) or (408) 489-8781.
Gilroy Compassion Center-Warming Center
The Gilroy Compassion Center at 370 Tomkins Court off of Murray Avenue in Gilroy serves as a warming center for people looking for temporary protection from the cold from 8 a.m. until noon during the work week.
Boccardo Reception Center (BRC)
The Boccardo Reception Center will have an additional 100 spaces available for a total of 350 overnight beds during the Inclement Weather Episode, Jan. 12 and Jan. 13.
This shelter serves adults only. The shelter (2011 Little Orchard Street, San Jose) opens at 4 p.m. Clients must be onsite by 3:30 p.m. to join the lottery for bed assignments. The shelter provides a warm bed, two nutritious meals and a hot shower.
A variety of supportive services are also offered, including guidance to help set short-term goals, employment resources, medical care, and referrals to other services. For more information, call (408) 510-7502.
Sites with offer additional beds during inclement weather
• Bill Wilson Center, 693 S. 2nd Street, San Jose, 95112, (408) 925-0231
• City Team Ministries, 1174 Old Bayshore Highway, San Jose, 95112, (408) 288-2153
• Montgomery Street Inn, 358 N. Montgomery St., San Jose, 95110, (408) 271-5160
• Georgia Travis House, 260 Commercial Street, San Jose, 95110, (408) 271-1630
• Salvation Army, 359 N. 4th Street, San Jose, 95112, (408) 282-1175
• Project WeHOPE, 1854 Bay Road, East Palo Alto, 94303, (650) 330-8000
Donations for the Homeless
HomeFirst continues to accept donations from the public to aid those seeking emergency shelter. Most needed items as of January 11, include:
• Blankets, emergency blankets, sleeping bags, tarps
• Rain ponchos
• T-shirts
• Towels
• Small toiletries
• Deodorant
Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
• HomeFirst Admin Offices, Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (During business hours)
• Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, 507 Valley Way, Milpitas, (408) 539-2100
After business hours:
• HomeFirst-Boccardo Reception Center, 2011 Little Orchard Street, San Jose
