Washington Desk, Housing & Wellness
D.C. Extends Shelter Hours as Hypothermia Season Begins
The District says its shelter hotline and transportation operate around the clock during hypothermia season, with overnight facilities staying open two hours later than last winter.
A longer overnight window
The District began its annual hypothermia-season operations and says dedicated shelters will open from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., two hours later than in prior seasons. During an Extreme Cold Alert, those facilities shift to continuous operation until the alert ends. The seasonal program runs from November 1 through March 31 and expands capacity as the system approaches its limits.
How to request help
Residents can call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or dial 311 to request free, accessible transportation to shelter for themselves or someone outside. The hotline and transportation are available 24 hours a day during the season. If a person appears to face an immediate medical or safety emergency, the appropriate number is 911 rather than the routine shelter line.
Cold and extreme-cold thresholds
D.C. says a Cold Alert can be triggered when the actual or forecast temperature, including wind chill, is from 16 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or from 21 to 40 when precipitation is expected. An Extreme Cold Alert applies below 15 degrees, or below 20 with expected precipitation. Official AlertDC notices determine when an alert is active.
Services beyond a bed
The seasonal plan includes outreach, welfare checks, warming items and transportation. Year-round low-barrier shelters continue to operate, while hypothermia sites are brought online as needed and remain open for the season after activation. Residents reporting someone outdoors should give a location and description so outreach teams can respond efficiently without making assumptions about the person's wishes or condition.
Verify before acting
Shelter locations, transportation schedules and alert status can change with demand and weather. The District's cold-weather portal is the current operational source. People should learn signs of hypothermia but avoid diagnosing a stranger; call 911 for urgent danger and use the hotline for shelter access or a welfare check. The service announcement is practical guidance, not a substitute for emergency medical care.
Primary evidence
Reporting note: This independently composed article is based on the linked primary records. Publication and event dates are stated separately. Agency claims are identified as such; an allegation, charge or scheduled event is not presented as a finding, conviction or completed event. Readers should consult the official record for amendments and later action.