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NORRISTOWN, Pa. —The Montgomery County Commissioners announce the launch of a new critical shelter service to residents in need. The expansion of the County’s Code Blue emergency shelter facilities, led by the Department of Health and Human Services, is the result of the collaboration with local government, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and philanthropies.
In addition to the four new Code Blue shelters announced in November, a new Code Blue Shelter in Lansdale opened in December 2024 and is designed to provide life-saving assistance to individuals and families during extreme cold weather conditions.
“No one should spend a night outside in the cold. The need for transitional housing is acute, and while we work with our municipal partners to address the larger housing crisis, we’re also taking immediate steps to expand our network of Code Blue shelters and provide additional resources for those who are most at risk during the winter,” said Jamila H. Winder, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “These shelters serve as a crucial lifeline for individuals facing homelessness and provide them with a welcoming and supportive environment during the coldest nights of the year.”
The shelters, which are part of the Code Blue initiative, open when winter conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to individuals without shelter, ensuring that vulnerable individuals have a safe, warm place to stay during harsh winter months. All locations are equipped with essential services, including hot meals, bedding, and access to vital resources. During declared Code Blue emergencies, either the temperature or the wind chill is expected to be at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for two or more hours.
The new Lansdale shelter is the first result of a successful partnership with the Borough of Lansdale and is in addition to the existing Code Blue Shelter at Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church. This week, the Borough began opening its Wissahickon Park building to up to five single women, which have previously been an unserved population in the region. The previously announced shelter in Upper Perkiomen Valley also began operating in early December.
These new facilities are the result of public-private partnerships with the following organizations, in addition to local advocates:
Manna on Main Street
Lansdale Borough Council & staff
Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church
Alternative Resources Network
The Open Link
Upper Perkiomen Homelessness Coalition
Upper Perkiomen Valley
VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn
Connelly Foundation
All facilities are staffed by trained volunteers and professionals who are committed to providing emergency services in a compassionate and safe setting.
“Meeting critical needs in our community requires collaboration, compassion and decisive action. The opening of a women’s Code Blue shelter at the Wissahickon Park building addresses an urgent priority in our communities, ensuring women have a separate, safe space,” said Lansdale Borough Council President Mary Fuller. “Homelessness is a significant issue, one that will not be solved quickly or easily, but hopefully the opening of these new shelters, including one in Lansdale, marks the start of continued cooperative efforts and impactful solutions.”
The Code Blue shelter program is part of Your Way Home’s ongoing efforts to combat homelessness in the region. Since its inception, the public-private partnership has saved countless lives by ensuring individuals have access to emergency shelter when conditions are dangerous.
With the opening of these two new facilities, Your Way Home is hopeful that more individuals will find the warmth, safety, and care they need during the coldest months.
Persons experiencing homelessness in Montgomery County can connect to resources by calling the Your Way Home Call Center at: (610) 278-3522.
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