New Warming Center Opens as Governor Activates Severe Cold Weather Protocol

January 6, 2025

As Governor Lamont activates a Severe Cold Weather Protocol - the second activation this winter - for the next several days, West Haven has opened a longer-term warming shelter for anyone who needs to get out of the cold, seven days a week, all winter long.
 
The weather forecast indicates Connecticut will experience a period of particularly frigid conditions over the next several days, he is directing the state’s severe cold weather protocol to go into effect beginning at 6 p.m. tonight and remaining in effect through noon on Thursday.
 
High temperatures during this period are forecast to be in the mid to upper twenties, and overnight lows are expected to be in the single digits and teens. Winds are expected to be out of the northwest at 10 to 15 miles per hour with gusts potentially reaching 40 miles per hour.
 
Anyone in need of shelter is urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to these services or visit 211ct.org to view a list of locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.
West Haven's new warming center - a former medical building - is located at 689 Campbell Avenue. The warming center is open to men and women nightly through April. Those who have children will be led to a separate room. 

Anyone needing the warming center is asked to arrive between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. The doors will be locked at 11 p.m., and members will be asked not to leave until the next morning when the doors open at 7 a.m. At that time, the library will be open for people to head there if they’d like another place to stay warm throughout the day. 

There will be coffee, individualized snacks, security, and outreach workers to connect people to services.

The center is being funded through an American Rescue Plan housing crisis grant that the city secured, according to Mayor Dorinda Borer. The city is also working on using that same pot of money to get bus passes for those who need them since the center is along the city’s bus route.

You can watch the Fox 61 story HERE or click on the graphic above.

West Haven’s two libraries will serve as warming centers during normal daytime hours. The libraries and hours are:

  • Main Library, 300 Elm St., Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Ora M. Mason Branch Library, 260 Benham Hill Road, Monday, noon-8 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Stay safe, everyone!