As temperatures in Chicago drop to dangerous lows, the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness (CCH) is acutely aware of the dire impact severe cold has on our neighbors experiencing homelessness. While resources are available, we recognize the urgent need for more accessible and comprehensive cold weather responses to ensure everyone is able to escape the bitter cold.
Where to Escape the Cold
The Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) operates six warming centers, open Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm, when the temperatures reach 32ºF or below.
DFSS Warming Centers
Englewood Community Service Center
1140 West 79th St | 312-747-0200
Garfield Community Service Center
10 South Kedzie Ave | 312-746-5400
Martin Luther King Community Service Center
4314 South Cottage Grove | 312-747-2300
North Area Community Service Center
845 West Wilson Ave | 312-744-2580
South Chicago Community Service Center
8650 South Commercial Ave | 312-747-0500
Trina Davila Community Service Center
4312 West North Ave | 312-744-2014
Additionally, more than 270 Chicago Park District facilities, libraries, police stations, and senior centers also serve as warming centers during their normal operating hours.
Most DFSS-funded shelters regularly operate 24/7, but due to the extreme cold, all DFSS overnight shelters will operate 24/7 through February 20. The following daytime drop-in centers are also open to provide meals and support services to people experiencing homelessness.
Drop-In Centers
Matthew House
3722 S. Indiana Ave | 6:30am – 5pm
Sarah’s Circle
4838 N. Sheridan Rd | 9am– 4:30pm
Lincoln Park Community Services
1521 N. Sedgwick St | 11am – 4pm
Franciscan Outreach
10 S. Kedzie Ave | 9am – 5pm
Broadway Youth Center
1023 W. Irving Park Rd | 9am – 3pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & 1 – 5pm Wednesday
Inspiration Corporation
4554 N. Broadway, Suite #207 | 6 – 11am Tuesday – Thursday & 6 – 8am Friday
The Salvation Army Freedom Center
825 N. Christiana | 24/7 through Friday, February 21
For single adults in need of shelter, Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC) at 2241 S. Halsted serves as a new 24/7 intake location with a 200-person capacity. On-site resources include meals, showers, laundry, a shelter placement waiting area, and outmigration and diversion services. To check current capacity, call 773-526-3707.
Chicagoans can call 311 for assistance accessing homeless shelters or city warming centers. You can also locate warming sites by visiting 311.chicago.gov or by downloading the Chicago OEMC app. Warming center hours and other supports may be extended during extreme cold. The OEMC website and app provide the most up-to-date information on available services. Keep Warm Illinois also offers an interactive map of warming centers statewide, as well as other useful resources such as energy bill assistance for low-income households.
Our Streetlight Chicago mobile app and website also provides up-to-date information about nearby resources like housing, food, healthcare and more for young people and others experiencing housing insecurity. Download it for free on iOS and Android.
Advocating for Improved Extreme Weather Supports
Despite these resources, many remain out in the cold during extreme weather. That’s why CCH joined the Extreme Weather Planning Coalition to call on our city leaders to adopt more comprehensive responses to extreme weather, including:
- Deploy CTA mobile warming buses to encampments
- Expand warming center operation to 24/7
- Allow overnight rest in warming busses and centers
- Facilitate transportation to shelter for those who need it
- Suspend encampment closures and tent removals during winter months
- Increase the winter weather response threshold to 40°F, including wind chill
Join us in calling on city leaders to expand protections for our unhoused neighbors. Learn more and take action here.
At CCH, we believe a safe place to call home is the best way to keep people warm. Together, we push for real solutions to homelessness, because nobody should be left out in the cold.
