St. Pete Standard

Jan 23, 2025 - Cold night shelters have been activated across St. Petersburg to provide refuge for those in need during the cold weather. The Homeless Leadership Alliance has partnered with local shelters to offer warm and safe sleeping arrangements when the National Weather Service predicts "feels like" temperatures below 40 degrees from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Shelters will accept guests until they reach capacity, with families encouraged to call 2-1-1 for available options. PSTA is offering free bus rides to and from these shelters starting at 5 p.m., with riders needing to inform drivers of their destination.

The following locations will be open on Thursday, Jan. 23, and Friday, Jan. 24, for adult men and women on a first-come, first-served basis:

- WestCare Turning Point: Located at 1801 5th Ave. North, St Petersburg, accessible via PSTA Route #9.

- Unitarian Universalist Church: Situated at 100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg; note that stairs are required here. Accessible via PSTA Routes #18, #23 or #100X.

- Salvation Army: Found at 1400 4th Street South, St. Petersburg, reachable by PSTA Route #4.

Families with children can find space in family shelters if available by contacting First Contact at 2-1-1 for information about family shelter locations in St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

Further details on additional shelter locations throughout Pinellas County are available at www.PinellasHomeless.org/coldnightshelters.

The public is encouraged to support the Cold Night Shelter Program through volunteering or donations via the same website.