BALTIMORE, MD. (Wednesday, November 6, 2024) – The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) announced that the FY25 Winter Shelter & Code Purple Plan went into effect on Friday, November 1, 2024, and will remain in effect until Monday, March 31, 2024. As the lead agency for the City’s winter shelter response, MOHS will declare “Code Purple” winter shelter activation when the temperature wind chill is forecasted to reach 32°F or below. 

“I am grateful to our shelter providers for their partnership in providing safe and warm spaces for all Baltimore residents to access in times of extreme cold weather,” said MOHS Executive Director Ernestina Simmons. “The winter season is quickly approaching, and the City of Baltimore is prepared to protect all residents in need, especially those in vulnerable situations including individuals experiencing homelessness. Together, we will ensure that all residents stay safe and warm this winter.” 

The Code Purple Plan outlines MOHS’ role in the coordination of efforts between the City of Baltimore and providers in the Baltimore City Continuum of Care (CoC) to provide hypothermia shelters and vital, life-saving services for Baltimore residents in need, including those experiencing homelessness during the winter season.  

“We are very excited to expand our warming centers and emergency overnight shelter spaces to accommodate every resident who has a need during this winter season,” said MOHS Seasonal Operations Specialist Shawnta Randolph. “I am thankful for our network of providers who will literally open their doors to provide the public with refuge during times of extreme weather. I also strongly encourage other shelter providers in the City to expand their hours and services to ensure that we are all maximizing our capacity in the community.”

When Winter Shelter is activated, the following Continuum of Care (CoC) providers will operate as warming centers. Days and hours of availability vary and are detailed below:

• Weinberg Housing & Resource Center (WHRC)
  620 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202
  Daily from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
   
• My Sister’s Place Women’s Center (women and children only)
  17 W. Franklin Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
  Daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
   
• Manna House
  435 E. 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
  Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

• Beans & Bread
  400 S. Bond Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
  Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

• Franciscan Center
  101 W. 23rd Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
  Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

In addition to warming centers, residents in need are able to get connected to overnight emergency shelter by calling the Baltimore City Shelter Hotline at 443-984-9540. Participating winter shelter locations will provide accommodations from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. the next morning. 

The winter shelter season will remain active until Monday, March 31, 2024, however, MOHS may activate winter shelter beyond that date in the event of extreme inclement weather. Follow the link to view the full list of participating emergency overnight winter shelter locations, and to view the FY25 Winter Shelter & Code Purple Plan.