Hillsborough County Cold Weather Shelters To Open Thursday

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — With limited capacity, Hillsborough County cold weather shelters will open Thursday night for the homeless and those who live in homes without adequate heat.

The National Weather Service expects local temperatures to dip to or below 40 degrees with wind chill in Hillsborough County Thursday night.

Important changes for this season: The congregate shelter will be at limited capacity to comply with social distancing recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each resident who chooses to take advantage of cold weather shelters will be screened upon entry.

Residents and volunteers will be required to wear a face covering while inside the shelter, and one will be provided if they do not have one. Dinner and breakfast will be served in single-service containers.

Hillsborough County is partnering with Amazing Love Ministries to provide a limited-capacity cold weather shelter for adults at 3304 E. Columbus Drive in Tampa. It opens at 5 p.m. for adults.

Metropolitan Ministries and Tampa Crossroads are supplying a limited number of single-night motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis. Preregistration is required by calling the numbers below. The deadline to call is 5 p.m.

• Individuals and families can call 813-209-1080.
• Individuals and couples without children can call 813-402-8871.

Organizations interested in hosting a cold weather shelter this season can contact Julie Watkinson, community relations coordinator, at 813-276-2677 for more information.