December 22, 2000
District of Columbia Mobilizes Hypothermia Assistance Program
National Weather Service forecasts lows in the teens for tonight
The District of Columbia will mobilize its hypothermia assistance program tonight to provide overnight shelter for homeless individuals and families. The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, the lead agency for the District's services to the homeless, will coordinate the program's implementation.
Hypothermia shelters will be open from 7 pm to 7 am to provide additional beds for individuals who cannot be accommodated at existing emergency shelters. Gale School, 65 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, is the overflow site for men. Women will be taken to the House of Ruth, 651 10th Street, NE, and Open Doors, 1115 4th Street, NW. DC Village will be used around the clock to shelter families.
In addition, workers will be canvassing the city tonight distributing blankets, sleeping bags, hats, gloves, hot beverages, and sandwiches to homeless individuals. Transportation will also be provided to those persons who wish to spend the night in a shelter. *
The United Planning Organization staffs a hypothermia hotline -1-800-535-7252. Persons seeking emergency shelter for themselves or others should contact the hotline for assistance.
The National Weather Service is predicting clear skies tonight with lows in the mid teens. Lows Saturday night will continue in the mid teens.
