It’s cold out. Here’s how you can help your unhoused neighbors in the Philly area
Thousands of people in the Philadelphia area experience homelessness. Here are five ways to help.
2 years ago
File photo: A person crosses South Broad Street during a winter storm in Philadelphia, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Thousands of people across the Delaware Valley are unhoused, and face significant challenges when confronted with severe winter weather.
How states, counties, and municipalities respond to extreme cold varies across the board. Most have “Code Blue” designations, or something comparable, that signal additional measures are in place to help protect people who are unsheltered.
Here’s how cities and counties across the Delaware Valley respond to dangerous cold, and what resources are made available to those in need.
During extremely cold weather — when temperatures feel near or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or when there is precipitation and the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower — Philadelphia officials will declare a Code Blue.
During a Code Blue event, the city implements special measures to keep people who are experiencing homelessness safe. Those measures include 24-hour outreach to find unhoused people and transport them to safe indoor spaces and opening all available beds within the city’s emergency housing network for those in need.
People experiencing homelessness may go to a city-funded homeless intake center for help. If residents see a person who appears to be unhoused during a Code Blue, they are urged to contact the city’s Homeless Outreach hotline at 215-232-1984.
Residents concerned about an older adult during extremely cold weather are urged to contact Philadelphia Corporation for Aging at 215-765-9040.
If residents see a pet outside during a Code Blue, they are urged to contact Philadelphia’s Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT) at 267-385-3800 and dial 1 to speak with the dispatcher. Residents may also file a report online with all of the available information.
ACCT also provides free straw for caretakers or owners of pets and community cats who spend most or all of their time outdoors.
When temperatures feel near or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, Bucks County will declare a Code Blue. A declaration may also be made amid higher temperatures combined with wind chill, precipitation or other circumstances.
A number of Bucks County nonprofits independently operate Code Blue Shelters during periods of extreme cold, and as volunteer capacity allows.
The most up-to-date information about shelter openings for a given night may be found via Bucks County’s Housing Link.
Chester County partners with different agencies to offer expanded services for people without adequate shelter, including the chronically homeless and homeless families with children.
Chester County residents who need shelter during winter months should call 211 for immediate assistance.
Delaware County’s Department of Human Services, Adult and Family Services is responsible for declaring a Code Blue. The county’s cold weather plan has yet to be released for 2025-2026.
Delco residents who need shelter during winter months should call 211 for immediate assistance.
Under Montco’s Code Blue emergency plan, periods of extreme, life-threatening weather — when the overnight temperature and/or wind chill is expected to be at or below 32° Fahrenheit for two or more hours — multiple county agencies and private organizations offer expanded services for people without adequate shelter, including the chronically homeless and homeless families with children.
The Department of Public Safety is responsible for recommending Code Blue emergencies to the County Commissioners based on National Weather Service forecasts. Code Blue declarations are issued for a specific duration, usually in 24-hour increments.
Montco residents who need shelter during a Code Blue can call the Your Way Home Call Center at 610-278-3522 or by calling 211.
New Jersey residents can check Code Blue declarations by county online. Residents may also refer to their county’s Office of Emergency Management website,
For futher assistance, residents may contact the Statewide Homeless Hotline by dialing 211 or 877-652-1148. Services are accessible in various languages for non-English speakers.
A Code Blue declaration is made in Burlington County when frigid weather conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to individuals or families without shelter. During a Code Blue, the county provides short-term shelter for people in need.
Residents in need of shelter are encouraged to contact one of the resources below. Staff will direct callers to the most appropriate shelter. After hours or on weekends or holidays, call 211 for assistance.
Under New Jersey law, all counties must have a plan in place to shelter unhoused individuals during severe weather.
When the Camden County Health Officer declares a Severe Weather Emergency, municipalities activate their Code Blue response plan to accommodate the immediate needs of people who lack shelter.
Rescue Mission of Trenton
89 Ewing St., Trenton, NJ 08609
Code Purple is declared across the state by nonprofit and volunteer organizations that operate shelters to keep people who are homeless safe during dangerous winter weather.
Since most Code Purple sites are managed by volunteers, the activation and implementation of Code Purple varies by county and site.Delawareans can connect to Code Purple resources via Delaware 211 by calling or texting 211. Residents may also call the Delaware Housing Alliance’s Centralized Intake Line at 1-833-346-3233. Centralized Intake services are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Here’s a breakdown of community-driven resources for people experiencing homelessness in Delaware.
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