PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The City of Philadelphia issued a Code Blue and, as temperatures drop, organizations are working to keep the city’s most vulnerable safe and warm.
According to Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services (OHS), during times of extreme cold, extra homeless outreach teams, like Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPA), patrol the streets encouraging those experiencing homelessness to come indoors.
Jose Benitez, executive director of PPA, said normally, they would be closed for the holiday, but due to the extremely cold weather and an increase in calls and need for their services, their warming center, at 2913 Kensington Avenue, will be operating on special hours starting Christmas Eve at 8 a.m.
Benitez said those who come to their center can receive three different meals.
“People will be able to…come in and be warm and fed and taken care of.”
He said they will continue doing this until the weather gets better.
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There are about 5,700 people considered to be homeless in the city – this includes about 950 people who are unsheltered.
If you see someone on the street in need of services or shelter, you can call the city’s Homeless Outreach Hotline at 215-232-1984 or visit their website.