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The Delaware County Cold Weather Plan (CWP) is in effect from November 1st to April 1st. The CWP describes how we coordinate to provide cold weather education and other services for those who are vulnerable and homeless in Delaware County. Many of the services described are in place and operational regardless of the temperature, however, in times of severe winter weather, overflow shelter beds, when possible, are made available and expanded outreach occurs. The Delaware County Department of Human Services, Adult and Family Services coordinates the County shelter programs and oversees the Winter Shelter Plan (WSP) for homeless persons. In addition, the County Office of Intercommunity Health and the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA), both provide other services and education to the community regarding cold weather survival.
Initiating the Winter Shelter Plan:
The goal of the WSP is to ensure that vulnerable homeless people come in from the cold and are warm and safe. Delaware County does not formally declare a “Code Blue.” The three shelter programs listed below are experienced and practiced in sheltering persons during severe weather situations. If they cannot provide shelter directly, vulnerable persons are referred to other programs for the evening.
This happens when the temperatures reach 32 degrees or below and programs implement their extended services hours, expanded outreach and overflow beds practices.
Shelters and Overflow Beds – The following shelter programs offer overflow beds.
Life Center of Eastern Delaware County 6310 Market Street, Upper Darby
(610) 734-5770
Single, Adults. Number of Beds: 32 Overflow: 7
Salvation Army
151 West 15th Street, Chester (610) 874-0423
Single, Adults, Number of Beds 30 Overflow: 5
Community Action Agency,
Temporary Emergency Shelter Program Voucher based for vulnerable households
(610) 874-8451 – Intake, overnight and weekend answering service. Vulnerable families & single adults Beds: N/A
Overflow: As needed
Expanded Outreach
During Code Blue conditions, Outreach staff will circulate in areas frequented by homeless persons. The goal of the Outreach Team is to locate homeless persons and bring them to safety in a warm facility. Overflow shelter beds will be utilized for identified homeless persons before other alternatives are explored. Persons identified during outreach activities are required to complete a Coordinated Entry Assessment and are encouraged to engage in ongoing services for homeless persons to stabilize their housing needs. Outreach services are provided by Horizon House, 24 hours a day, on a rotating 5-day schedule. Horizon House can be contacted at (267) 671-4357.
Community Education and Awareness
To ensure that the Delaware County community knows the resources available for residents during the winter months and where to find those resources, the following education and awareness activities take place:
Homeless Services Coalition, Adult and Family Services annually updates, produces and distributes the Emergency Shelter Resource Directory. The Directory details shelter programs, the referral process and their Winter Shelter Plan role if applicable. This directory is distributed countywide to police stations, municipalities, county and local government offices, libraries, elected officials, school districts, etc.
The Survival Guide to Homeless Services, is also distributed county-wide. Both documents are available online at: https://www.delcohsa.org/adultfamily/Su rvival_Guide.pdf
The Survival Guide is located at: https://www.delcohsa.org/adultfamily/Su rvival_Guide.pdf
The Delaware County Health Department – Provides information to help people avoid medical emergencies, such as hypothermia and frost bite. 484-276-2100 (Available 24/7) or www.delcopa.gov/health
The Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) – Extends outreach to senior citizens, conducts outreach and wellness checks on vulnerable seniors and prepares and distributes the pamphlet “Winter Weather Warm Up” – Tips to Staying Healthy in the Cold Winter Months.” Cold weather tips can also be heard on COSA’s informational-only weather phone line (610) 872-1558 from December 1 through April 1 each year. (610) 490-1300 or www.delcosa.org
Community Action Agency (CAADC) – The County’s official anti-poverty agency can assistant economically disadvantaged eligible households through their weatherization program. On a limited basis, CAADC can provide heating oil assistance and can assist people in applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which helps people afford their winter heating bills. (610) 874-8451 or www.caadc.org
