December is kicking off in true winter fashion with frigid temperatures across our borough.
The New York City Department of Homeless Services has declared a Code Blue until 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.
A Code Blue is activated when temperatures are expected to drop below freezing overnight.
During this time, outreach teams are deployed to assist unhoused New Yorkers get to a warm shelter. Walk-ins are also welcome at city shelters for people who do not have access to heat.
The city says no one will be turned away during a code blue.
In the Bronx, a service support bus is set up outside of Lincoln Hospital for unhoused people in need of an escape of the cold.
To avoid waiting at bus stops or train platforms make sure to keep an eye on your MTA apps like
Bus Time and the
general MTA app to plan a trip.
If you encounter a homeless person in need of assistance, you can call 311 and a street outreach team will be sent to them. You can find information on drop-in centers here:
Homeless Assistance · NYC311.