Cold-Weather Shelters To Open In Hillsborough County Friday, Saturday

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Due to this weekend's plunging temperatures, Hillsborough County is opening cold-weather shelters Friday, Jan. 13, and Saturday, Jan. 14, for the homeless and those who live in homes without adequate heat and are unable to find other accommodations.

The National Weather Service expects local temperatures to dip to or below 40 degrees with wind chill in Hillsborough County on those two nights.

Shelter organizers are expecting high demand with limited capacity this season, so residents who need a warm place to stay are encouraged to use all resources like friends and family as a first option.

Related: Temperatures Plunge In FL As System Brings Frigid Weather To State

Hillsborough County is partnering with the following organizations to provide a limited-capacity cold-weather shelter for adults. All shelters will take in guests from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. unless they reach capacity prior to that time.

• Amazing Love Ministries, 3304 E Columbus Drive, Tampa.
• Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park, 107 S Oregon Ave., Tampa.
• Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries (Prayer Retreat Center), 2104 Mud Lake Road, Plant City.
• Homeless Helping Homeless, 801 E Saint Clair St., Tampa.
• Homeless Helping Homeless, 3008 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa.
• Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 W Platt St., Tampa.
• New Life Church in Tampa, 8216 N 13th St., Tampa. This is a pet-friendly shelter.
• Tampa Bay Mission of Hope, 212 S St. Cloud Ave. Building A, Valrico.

Metropolitan Ministries and Generations Renewed are supplying a limited number of single-night motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with young children.

All congregate shelters are reserved for adults only. Preregistration is required by calling the numbers below. Phone lines turn on at 9 a.m. and the deadline to call is 5 p.m.

• Families in Tampa call 813-209-1176
• Families in Plant City call 813-562-4495

Organizations interested in hosting a cold weather shelter this season can contact Julie Watkinson, community relations coordinator, at WatkinsonJ@HCFLGov.net for more information.