VIRGINIA, USA — With a Weather Watch Alert issued for dangerously low wind chills, all residents should be prepared and have access to a warm shelter. Northern Virginia counties have listed resources for those in need on the coldest days of the year throughout the winter season. Find your county and the important details they've shared online below.
Fairfax County has six emergency shelters for individuals and families who are homeless, according to the government. Officials say that the shelters are operated by community nonprofit organizations under contract with the county. Shelters have additional capacity during winter months to take in people overnight who are at risk of hypothermia.
"If you see someone at night who is unsheltered and you think could be at risk of hypothermia, call the county’s non-emergency phone line at 703-691-2131, TTY 711," the county's website says. "Click here to learn more about the Hypothermia Prevention Program, including locations."
According to the county government, Arlington County houses five emergency shelters that provide a safe environment for single adults and families who are Arlington residents experiencing homelessness.
"Access to all shelters except the Domestic Violence Safehouse is facilitated through the Centralized Access System (CAS) within the Clinical Coordination Unit (CCU) at DHS – 2100 Washington Blvd 1st Fl," the county says. "In case of shelter needs during non-business hours, households should call 703-228-1010 for assistance."
- Homeless Services Center for individuals (Path Forward)
- Sullivan House Family Shelter (Bridges to Independence)
- Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home (Doorways for Women and Families)
- Residential Program Center year-round shelter for individuals (New Hope Housing)"
Warming centers are being offered at libraries and recreation centers to provide relief from the cold. For warming center locations and hours, visit alexandriava.gov/122602.
The city also has Winter Shelters, also known as Hypothermia Shelters, which ensure "that individuals and families experiencing homelessness have a warm, clean and safe environment to retreat from the elements of weather at night."
The city shares that the Winter Shelters, operated by Carpenter's Shelter, are open nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. regardless of weather from Nov. 1 through March 31. For November and April 1-15, the openings are dependent on the weather.
"The Winter Shelters provide supportive services and resources necessary to assist residents in obtaining stable housing," Alexandria's website says.
In addition, for anyone in need of transportation to the Winter Shelters, Carpenter's Shelter will be providing assistance at three pickup locations:
- 6:20 p.m. at City Hall (301 King St.)
- 6:30 p.m. at Braddock Road Metro Station (Kiss & Ride) and Carpenter's Shelter
- 6:40 p.m. Christ House (131 South West St.)
The county has posted all of the information about its shelter on its website.
"The Loudoun County Hypothermia Prevention Shelter (previously referred to as the Cold Weather Shelter) typically is open from mid-November through the end of March from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily," officials have shared.
"The shelter is for single adults aged 18 and older in the community who are experiencing a housing crisis resulting in homelessness. The shelter provides a warm indoor sleeping environment, meals, shower facilities, and information on other community resources, such as food, medical care, and employment opportunities."
This emergency shelter in Fauquier County can help get those in need out of the cold.
"Our 24-hour, 52-bed emergency shelter in Warrenton, Virginia, helps nearly 400 people annually," their website reads. "This safe, child-friendly facility is overseen by a dedicated manager prepared to accommodate individuals and families in need of immediate accommodations. For those needing extended assistance, Fauquier Family Shelter’s transitional housing program provides longer-term support and housing."
Those interested are asked to call 540-351-0130 to complete a pre-screening for admission into the Emergency Shelter. The shelter does require photo identification and that all potential shelter intakes be subject to a criminal history background check.
"In addition to providing shelter, the FFS emergency facility and multi-year transitional housing program both provide struggling local men, women and families with crucial life skills related to budgeting, employment, nutrition, homework and parenting. Our staff and volunteers maintain a safe environment for our residents and a new path to dignity, responsibility and hope."
Below is a list of shelters shared on the county's website.
HILDA BARG Homeless Prevention Center
"This 30-bed year-round shelter for families and single adults. The program offers comprehensive services including case management, job readiness, mental health counseling and medical referrals."
The Homeless Prevention Center is located at 14945 Richmond Highway (Route 1), between Dale Blvd. and Opitz Blvd. in Woodbridge.
For more information call (703) 792-8810 (TTY: 711). To be referred for services, please contact the CES Hotline at (703) 792-3366 (TTY: 711). The program is operated by the Department of Social Services.
The Ferlazzo Emergency Shelter (FES)
"This program is a 48-bed year-round facility that serves single adults only operated by the Department of Social Services. All referrals to the shelter are made through the Prince William County Coordinated Entry System (CES)."
Potential residents are asked to inquire about a bed at the shelter by contacting CES at (703) 792-3366 (TTY: 711).
"When residents first arrive at the shelter, they complete an intake with our program staff and are assigned a caseworker to help them navigate the system. Caseworkers spend time with residents to help them better understand their situations and help them identify goals, apply for identification documents and help them access programs that can assist them."
Beverly Warren Emergency Shelter
"This emergency shelter program is an 18-bed shelter for individuals, females and families. The program is operated by Action in Community Through Services (ACTS) in Dumfries, VA. Housing-focused case management is provided to all program participants with the key of focus of identifying next step permanent housing. To gather more information about services, please contact ACTS at (703) 221-3186. (TTY: 711) Contact the CES Hotline at (703) 792-3366 (TTY: 711) to be assessed and referred to the program."
SERVE Shelter in Manassas
"The SERVER shelter is a 90-bed emergency shelter that serves families and single adults in need of accessing shelter. The program is located in Manassas, VA and is operated by Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS). Similar to another emergency shelter, the program provides housing-focused case management to households with the goal of housing persons as quickly as possible. To obtain additional information about the shelter, please call NVFS at (571) 748-2603 (TTY: 711). To be referred to the program, contact the CES Hotline at (703) 792-3366 (TTY: 711)."
Supportive Shelter
"The Supportive Shelter is operated by StreetLight Community Outreach Ministries and is located in Woodbridge, VA. The program is an eight (8) bed shelter designed to meet the needs of persons with medical challenges or other disabilities. The smaller program designed to provide a shelter services to first meet resident's immediate needs with concentrated focus on housing. To be referred to the program, contact the CES Hotline at (703) 792-3366 (TTY: 711)."