Cold Weather Response and Reminders

Due to the incoming low overnight temperatures, the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance (DHA) has initiated outreach for Weather Respite Motel Sheltering. Check-in started Tuesday, Nov. 29. There is currently no check-out date, instead, the team will monitor the weather to determine check-out dates. This program has been well utilized and effective in past activations.

Respite motel sheltering will follow the same process DHA and referral partners used during previous weather events. As a reminder, there is no self-referral into this program.

Trained navigator partners will make contact with those experiencing homelessness that are particularly vulnerable and unlikely to engage in any other programs;
Offer a motel stay and will assist in reserving the space at the motel;
Participants in the weather respite sheltering program will work with their referring party on transportation to and from the motel;
Participants are allowed to bring partners, pets, and a limited number of possessions with them for the duration of their stay.

Capacity will depend on motel room availability at the County’s partner motels – but all available rooms will be used.

Participants are expected to follow a code of conduct while guests in the motel rooms.

In addition to the Weather Respite Motel Sheltering, DHA has opened its office at 1725 28th Street in Sacramento to act as a Warming Center from 7 p.m. – 7 a.m., now through Dec. 8.

The City of Sacramento has two Warming Centers that will be open through Dec. 8. The below Warming Centers will operate from 8 p.m. – 8 a.m.:

Outreach and Engagement Center: 3615 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821
North Fifth Street Shelter Lobby: 700 North Fifth Street, Sacramento, CA 95811

Tips for staying safe during winter weather events:

Check on elderly family members, friends or neighbors. Seniors and those with serious medical conditions are at risk. Check on community members that might be vulnerable to ensure they are safely keeping warm.
Heat your home safely – carbon monoxide is a silent killer. It is not OK to heat the inside of your home with any kind of BBQ, propane heater, or any other fuel-fired equipment due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use heaters installed with your home and those designed to be used indoors. Make sure that your natural gas furnaces and other appliances are in good, clean working order.
Bring your pets inside when temperatures start to dip near freezing. Make sure dogs and cats have a warm, draft-free place indoors with a dry mat or blanket that they can lie on. For additional winter weather tips for animals, check out the Bradshaw Animal Shelter’s website.
Insulate outdoor pipes that lead into your home to prevent freezing. Seal with caulk around the pipes that lead into and out of your home. Inside your home, leave the bathroom and under-sink cabinets open to help warm the water. If your pipes freeze, leave your tap on and call a plumber. You can defrost your pipes using a hairdryer on a low setting, working your way slowly from the faucet to where your pipe enters the wall. County residents who need to have their water turned off in order to make repairs to their lines can go online or call 311 (or 916-875-4311 if calling from out of the area).
Ensure proper drainage by scooping up leaves and debris. Keeping storm drains clear can prevent street flooding and black ice from forming.
When raining, reduce your vehicle speed. Wet roads increase the distance and time needed to stop your vehicle. Be extra cautious on roads, bridges and overpasses when temperatures are 32 degrees or below due to black ice – slow down and give yourself extra spacing between vehicles in front of you.
Watch for tree limbs. As temperatures dip, trees become vulnerable to limbs snapping. For downed trees or branches in the roadway, County residents can go online or call 311 (or 916-875-4311 if calling from out of the area).
Prepare for wind. Secure yard items that may blow around and be prepared for the possibility of loss of power. For downed power lines, stay away and call 9-1-1 immediately.
Sign-up for Emergency Alerts. This system alerts residents about emergency events and other important public safety information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods.
Where to get help. Call 211 in Sacramento or go online for information on emergency shelter services.