As temperatures dropped into the mid-30s on Sunday, December 14, Austin activated its Cold Weather Shelters. But Austin isn’t alone. Across Texas, major cities are opening warming centers and emergency shelters to protect people experiencing homelessness from dangerous cold.
Here’s what’s happening in every major Texas city and how to get help if you need it.
Austin: Central Registration at One Texas Center
Austin activated cold weather shelters with temperatures forecast to hit the mid-30s. Registration happens from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road.
CapMetro bus routes 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, and 801 all go to OTC. If you can’t pay the fare, you get a free ride. Community partners are welcome to bring people to the registration point.
Families with children and unaccompanied minors get hotel rooms instead of general shelter. Everyone gets meals. Non-aggressive pets on leashes are allowed.
To access: Register 6-8 p.m. at One Texas Center | Call 512-972-5055 for information
Austin’s activation threshold: 35 degrees or below
Arlington: Salvation Army Is Your Shelter
Arlington activates cold weather shelters when temperatures hit 39 degrees or below for four or more consecutive hours overnight.
When activated, The Salvation Army at 712 W. Abram Street serves as the main inclement weather shelter. Intake runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. IDs are required, but exceptions are made for police drop-offs after hours.
Arlington also opens warming locations at public libraries during normal business hours.
To sign up for alerts: Text ARLCOLD to 877-799-4950
Arlington’s activation threshold: 39 degrees or below for 4+ hours
Dallas: Multiple Temporary Shelters
Dallas operates through its Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS). When temperatures hit 36 degrees in wet weather (50% or more precipitation predicted) or 32 degrees in dry weather for three hours or longer between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m., the city activates Temporary Inclement Weather Shelters (TIWS).
Dallas currently operates multiple shelter locations with intake from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cold weather packs with blankets and winter supplies are available at recreation centers across the city.
For transport to shelter, call 311 before 10 p.m. or 911 after 10 p.m.
For additional shelter options beyond TIWS sites, individuals can seek refuge at any of the city’s existing overnight shelter provider locations.
To get help: Call 311 for transport before 10 p.m. or 911 after 10 p.m.
For volunteers: Email [email protected] or register online at dal.city/AustinStreetRegister
Dallas’s activation threshold: 36 degrees (wet weather) or 32 degrees (dry weather) for 3+ hours
Dallas nonprofit partnerships: Austin Street Center and OurCalling are opening additional emergency shelter capacity
Houston: Warming Centers and Day Shelters
Houston has one of the most restrictive warming center policies of all major Texas cities. The city opens warming centers when temperatures reach a hard freeze of 24 degrees for two hours or more, or if windchill hits 15 degrees for two hours or more.
When activated, Houston opens 10 to 12 warming centers across the city operating 24/7. Recent activations included centers at multiple community and multi-service locations across Houston.
For those experiencing homelessness, two main shelters are available: the Men’s Development Center and the Women and Family Development Center on Reed Road (off 288).
Local nonprofits also provide support:
- Star of Hope: Distributes blankets, coats, and shelter information
- Mission of Yahweh: Provides hot meals, blankets, coats, and shelter at their chapel (10247 Algiers Road, 24/7)
To find a warming center: Call 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE or call 3-1-1 for Z-Trip rides to warming centers
For transportation: Call 3-1-1 and request a Z-Trip to any open warming center
Houston’s activation threshold: 24 degrees hard freeze (2+ hours) or 15 degree windchill (2+ hours)
San Antonio: Warming Centers at Lower Temperatures
San Antonio activates warming centers when temperatures reach around freezing (32 degrees and below), making it more accessible than Houston but similar to Austin and Dallas.
The city operates multiple warming center locations and coordinates with nonprofit partners to provide meals, blankets, and safe shelter.
San Antonio’s activation threshold: Around freezing (32 degrees and below)
El Paso: Community Warming Centers
El Paso opens warming centers when temperatures reach around freezing, providing emergency shelter similar to Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio.
El Paso’s activation threshold: Around freezing (32 degrees and below)
Fort Worth: Emergency Overflow Shelter
Fort Worth manages an emergency overflow shelter from October through March. The city activates additional emergency shelter capacity when cold weather arrives.
How to find out if activated: Call 311 and press 9
Fort Worth’s activation: October through March seasonal management
The Bigger Picture: How Texas Compares
Texas cities have dramatically different activation thresholds:
Most Accessible: Austin (35°), Dallas (32-36°), San Antonio, El Paso (around 32°), and Arlington (39°)
Most Restrictive: Houston (24° hard freeze or 15° windchill)
This creates a patchwork where people experiencing homelessness in Houston face much colder conditions before shelters open compared to Austin or Dallas.
What You Need to Know
If you’re experiencing homelessness and temperatures are dropping, here’s your action plan:
- Call the shelter information line for your city
- Register early — most cities have limited hours
- Bring identification if you have it (though exceptions are made)
- Bring your belongings if you can transport them
- Pets are allowed in most shelters if non-aggressive and leashed
Families with children typically get hotel rooms instead of general shelters. This is better for families trying to stay together during cold weather.
If You Want to Help
Volunteer opportunities are available in multiple cities:
- Dallas: Email [email protected] to volunteer
- Austin: Contact Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations
- Houston: Support Star of Hope or Mission of Yahweh
- Regional: Contact local nonprofits like Austin Street Center and OurCalling
Donations of blankets, coats, gloves, socks, and non-perishable food are needed across all major Texas cities.
Quick Reference:
| City | Activation Threshold | Contact for Info |
| Austin | 35° or below | 512-972-5055 |
| Arlington | 39° or below (4+ hrs) | Text ARLCOLD to 877-799-4950 |
| Dallas | 32-36° for 3+ hrs | Call 311 (before 10pm) or 911 |
| Houston | 24° hard freeze or 15° windchill | 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE |
| San Antonio | Around freezing (32°) | City of San Antonio website |
| El Paso | Around freezing (32°) | City of El Paso website |
| Fort Worth | Seasonal Oct-March | Call 311 then press 9 |
Bottom Line: Cold weather is coming. Know where your city’s shelters are. Know the phone numbers. And if you see someone outside in the cold, offer them the information they need to get to safety.
