NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — The Nashville Office of Homeless Services is getting ready to help the unhoused stay warm when temperatures drop below freezing.
The Nashville Office of Homeless Services announced their Overflow Cold Weather Shelter will activate when temperatures drop at or below 32 degrees for three hours.
This year they've got some new additions to offer to more people.
They'll still offer hot meals like in years past, but will now also offer on-site triage services to help people find permanent housing, pet accommodations, and community alerts through a text system.
They will also use HMIS to collect data on who stays at the shelter. That will help them learn the needs of the community and get more insight into the homeless population. It would also be part of a new streamlined intake process to make check-in quicker to get people in from out of the cold sooner.
There will be real-time alerts for when the shelter is open, via the "Metro MEANS" text alert system. You can text the word NashvilleWinter to 84483 to get those alerts.
The overflow shelter is usually just used once primary shelters, like the Nashville Rescue Mission and the Room In the Inn, are full.
The shelter is located at located at 3230 Brick Church Pike, in north Nashville.
WeGo gives rides to the shelters. There are also shuttles from key spots across the city. Shuttle vans will transport riders to Music City Central so those needing shelter can ride bus number 23B to the shelter.
Friday they are offering a preview of the shelter.
It won't be open to the public, but News Channel 5's Eric Pointer will be there live giving a first hand look at the new resources and speaking to leadership from the Office of Homeless Services about how they hope to help people.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at eric.pointer@newschannel5.com.
It's truly the small things that add up to a great day - and Warrick in Lebanon is having a big impact. His familiar face is becoming a staple in one part of the community and inspiring closer connection in the simplest way. Enjoy his warm personality! You may even feel inclined to wave to a stranger today, too.
-Rebecca Schleicher
