SacCounty Severe Weather Respite Recap

Press release from the Sacramento County Government:

December 20, 2021

Over the weekend, Sacramento County activated two warming center locations in response to the low overnight temperatures in Sacramento. The warming centers were open Friday – Sunday nights from 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Pets were welcome on leashes or in carriers, cots were provided for sleeping and snacks and water were also provided for guests to consume.

The two locations used were Creekside Adult School at 2641 Kent Drive, and the Department of Human Assistance Annex at 1725 28th Street.

To aid with transportation to the two locations, Sacramento County partnered with Regional Transit to pick up at four different locations and bus guests to the warming centers, as well as pick them up and return them in the morning.

The bus stop locations were:

• Stockton Boulevard and Fruitridge Road
• Watt Avenue at Poplar Boulevard
• Ahern Street at North C Street
• Natomas Park Drive (near Garden Highway)

Sacramento County DHA had also previously activated its Weather Respite Motel Voucher Program in response to raining weather on Dec. 9, which was extended through the cold weather event as well.

The Motel vouchering programs continues to be the most effective and targeted response to weather incidents. The primary challenge for opening warming centers is staffing, particularly for an overnight activation. Sacramento County encourages any residents interested in volunteering for the weather respite centers to sign up with HandsOn Sacramento. Sacramento County continues to seek solutions to protecting our unhoused neighbors from severe weather – we invite the community to partner with us on the practical elements of severe weather activation by joining our volunteer corps.

This press release was produced by the Sacramento County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.