Detroit Opens Additional Shelters Amid Cold Weather Emergency

Detroit Expands Shelter Services Amid Severe Cold Weather

As frigid temperatures persist, the City of Detroit is ramping up its support to ensure residents have access to warmth and safety. The city has extended its emergency stand-by shelters and respite facilities to provide refuge during harsh winter conditions. Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo has declared a cold weather health emergency, reinforcing the city’s commitment to protecting its residents.

To combat the freezing climate, the Neighborhood Service Organization is collaborating with the city to open a new overnight stand-by shelter starting on Friday, January 23 at 6 p.m., operational until Tuesday, January 27 at 12 p.m. Meanwhile, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries and the Pope Francis Center will continue their shelter services through the same period.

Detroit residents seeking shelter can turn to various facilities as temporary relief from the cold. The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries at 13130 Woodward Avenue is prepared to accommodate both families and single adults. The Pope Francis Center, located at 2915 W. Hancock, and the Neighborhood Service Organization stand-by shelter at 882 Oakman Blvd, offer refuge specifically for single adults.

Medical Assistance for Those in Need

If you are concerned about someone’s safety due to the weather, it is advised to call 911 for a welfare check.

Access to Overnight Shelters

Temporary overnight stand-by shelters are accessible to all, with no referral required. Residents can walk in or contact the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520, available 24/7. For those needing assistance after hours, visiting a police precinct can connect them with an outreach team for overnight services.

In-person assistance is also available at CAM sites such as Cass Community Social Services at 12025 Woodrow Wilson or NOAH at Central at 23 E. Adams on the second floor. More information is available at https://camdetroit.org/get-help/.

Detroit operates around 1,700 emergency shelter and drop-in center beds in collaboration with local partners. Residents facing housing crises or requiring emergency shelter should reach out to the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine at the aforementioned number.

Access to Shelter After Hours

(After 6 p.m. on weekdays or 24/7 on weekends)

Individuals needing immediate shelter have several options:

Contact the Street Outreach team via the HelpLine at 866-313-2520.

Visit the nearest police station: https://detroitmi.gov/departments/police-department/precincts-and-neighborhood-police-officers.

Walk into any temporary overnight stand-by shelter without a referral.

Respite Locations

Detroit’s recreation centers and public library branches serve as respite sites during regular hours.

Detroit Recreation Centers

Adams-Butzel, 10500 Lyndon: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

A.B. Ford Community Center, 100 Lenox: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval: Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Closed Saturday

Chandler Park Fieldhouse, 12300 Chandler Park Drive: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Clemente Recreation Center, 2631 Bagley: Monday – Friday 1 p.m. – 9 p.m., Closed Saturday

Coleman Young Recreation Center, 2751 Robert Bradby Dr: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Crowell Recreation Center, 16630 Lahser: Monday – Friday 1 p.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 E. Outer Drive: Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Heilmann Recreation Center, 19601 Brock: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Helen Moore Community Center, 11825 Dexter Blvd.: Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort St.: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Lasky Recreation Center, 13200 Fenelon: Monday – Friday 1 p.m. – 9 p.m., Closed Saturday

Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Detroit Public Library Branches

All branches are open during normal hours for warmth. The Main Library operates Monday, Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday from noon – 8 p.m.; Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Bowen Branch, 3648 W. Vernor Hwy.: Mon., Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs. noon – 8 p.m.

Campbell Branch, 8733 W. Vernor Hwy.: Mon. & Wed. noon – 8 p.m.; Tues., Thurs. & Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Chandler Park Branch, 12800 Harper: Mon., Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Thurs. noon – 8 p.m.

Chaney Branch, 16101 Grand River Ave.: Mon., Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs. noon – 8 p.m.

Chase Branch, 17731 W. 7 Mile Rd.: Mon., Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs. noon – 8 p.m.

Conely Branch, 4600 Martin: Mon., Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs. noon – 8 p.m.

Duffield Branch, 2507 W. Grand Blvd.: Mon., Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs. noon – 8 p.m.

Elmwood Park Branch, 550 Chene: Mon., Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs. noon – 8 p.m.

Franklin Branch, 13651 E. McNichols: Mon., Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs. noon – 8 p.m.

Hubbard Branch, 12929 W. McNichols: Mon. & Wed. noon – 8 p.m.; Tues., Thurs. & Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Jefferson Branch, 12350 E. Outer Drive: Mon. & Wed. noon – 8 p.m.; Tues., Thurs. & Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Lincoln Branch, 1221 E. Seven Mile Road: Mon. & Wed. noon – 8 p.m.; Tues., Thurs. & Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Parkman Branch, 1766 Oakman Blvd.: Mon. & Wed. noon – 8 p.m.; Tues., Thurs. & Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Redford Branch, 21200 Grand River Ave.: Mon. & Wed. noon – 8 p.m.; Tues., Thurs. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sherwood Forest Branch, 7117 W. Seven Mile Road: Mon., Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs. noon – 8 p.m.

Wilder Branch, 7140 E. 7 Mile Rd.: Tues., Thurs. & Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Mon. & Wed. noon – 8 p.m.

Other Resources

If experiencing domestic violence, contact Michigan’s Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-864-2338. For mental health emergencies, dial 9-8-8 or the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network’s 24-Hour Helpline at 1-800-241-4949.

HelpLine Resources

The Detroit Housing Services office and the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine provide assistance for housing emergencies. They have been instrumental in securing permanent housing for 5,168 residents and stabilizing 764 households with temporary housing. Services include help with finding affordable housing, financial aid for moving costs, employment assistance, and addressing property condition issues such as lack of heat.

Residents facing housing instability should contact the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520 for support. Depending on individual needs, they will be connected to appropriate housing resources or outreach assistance.