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As temperatures plummet, staying warm is essential for survival. This is especially challenging for the homeless. Every year, countless unhoused people suffer in harsh weather conditions, including rain, snow, hail, and wind. Tragically, many will die from cold weather-related complications like hypothermia.
How can people experiencing homelessness prepare for the colder weather and, most importantly, stay alive?
If you are homeless or are in danger of becoming unhoused this winter, here are a few things you can do to help you stay warm and dry.
How to keep warm:
One of the most important things you can do is dress in warm, layered clothing that you can put on or take off depending on fluctuating temperatures. Surprisingly, it’s just as important not to become too warm. Overheating causes excess sweat, which can soak into your clothes and make you colder. This moisture makes it harder for you to remain dry, increasing the risk of hypothermia. Excess sweat can also cause dehydration.
For this reason, it’s also extremely important to keep your feet dry. Warm, heavy-duty socks and waterproof, insulated boots provide protection against frostbite. Boots offer better protection than shoes by covering the ankles, helping to prevent snow and rain from coming into contact with your feet.
Knit hats, especially beanies, help prevent heat loss through your head. Gloves keep hands warm and also help reduce the risk of frostbite.
Keep your entire body warm with layers of protection against the cold. Start with a base layer of long underwear (“long johns”) underneath your clothes, add an insulating middle layer of long pants and a long-sleeved top over that, and then add a waterproof jacket or coat for the outer layer.
Easily washable blankets and well-insulated, high-quality sleeping bags. “Mummy” style sleeping bags provide better protection against the cold than traditional sleeping bags. Put self-heating hand warmers and foot warmers in your gloves and pockets. Use extra-large zipper pulls to help with opening and closing sleeping bags when you’re wearing gloves. Skin moisturizer and lip balm will help to prevent cracked skin that can lead to infection.
Where to get free blankets, warm clothing and other winter items:
Many community organizations for the homeless, churches, and shelters give out free jackets, blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter clothing. Others will provide vouchers for these items. Unfortunately, many homeless shelters don’t often have enough blankets to meet the demand, but they might know of other places that might have them.
Salvation Army
Scroll down to “How can I request Salvation Army assistance?” and enter your local zip code in the box and click on “Find Local Salvation Army.
St. Vincent De Paul:
Google “St Vincent De Paul near me” for a local chapter.
One Degree
One Degree has links to homelessness resources that provide these items for free. Search at the top of the page for homeless resources in your area.
One Warm Coat
415-718-1887
One Warm Coat doesn’t directly give out free warm clothing, but they distribute these things to local organizations that provide them to the homeless.
You can also find free stuff on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Freecycle: Front Door, and other freebie websites.
On Facebook Marketplace, select the “Only show free listings” filter.
Type “free” in the “Search Craigslist box and click on “Free Stuff” in the drop-down menu.
Visit Findhelp.org (https://www.findhelp.org) and enter your zip code in the box to search for help near you.
Where to Get Warm:
Warming Centers
Warming centers are short-term shelters set up in communities to help people survive during winter emergency situations. They’re typically located in churches, community centers, senior centers, and other public buildings to provide temporary relief from the cold. These centers are typically open during blizzards, winter power outages, or when temperatures drop below a certain degree.
They usually provide warm drinks, food, and other essentials and a place to hunker down while waiting out the bad weather. Not all warming centers are set up for sleeping, so if you need a place to sleep, find out first if they provide beds.
Eating warm meals and drinking hot, non-alcoholic beverages like hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and soup will make you feel warmer. Organizations like the Salvation Army, homeless shelters, churches, and soup kitchens provide free food, and some provide hot meals.
How to Find Warming Stations
Listen for announcements on local news programs or search Google for things like “24-hour warming centers for homeless,” “Severe Weather Spaces,” “Overnight Warming Centers,” and “Daytime Warming Spaces.” You can also search the Office of Emergency Services website for a list of warming centers in your area.
Motel Vouchers
In a few cases, some homeless shelters, non-profits, and religious organizations offer vouchers for limited-time motel stays. These aren’t very common, but you can ask.
If you can’t access a warming center or shelter:
How to safely keep warm in your car
If you’re sleeping in your car, be careful to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or fire hazards. Crack a window open while sleeping to let the fresh air circulate. Never sleep in your car with the engine running, and never use portable heaters, propane, or gas stoves inside your car.
Place a few blankets and/or foam padding on the floor and seats to help insulate the interior. Windshield and window covers will also help keep out drafts but make sure you can roll your windows up and down to circulate fresh air.
If you must sleep outside: How to stay warm outdoors:
Items like tarps, cardboard, and even newspapers can help shelter you from the elements outside.
Snuggle up against your dog if you have one.
Some people experiencing homelessness keep warm near heated air vents on buildings, while others sleep in laundromats and abandoned buildings.
Blankets and foam pads can be used as makeshift beds. Lay a heavy-duty plastic bag or tarp on the ground to prevent moisture from seeping up into your bedding.j
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