Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy
The Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy is intended to provide a safe environment for Chester County residents experiencing homelessness during times of extreme weather events that are a threat to human life or well-being. This policy is not intended to supersede any other county policy or Chester County Department of Emergency Services policy.
The Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy will be implemented in Chester County at any time the forecasted weather poses a threat to human life or well-being. This includes when temperatures are extremely low, high, any additional weather-related event, or natural disaster that poses a threat to human life or well-being. Based on these factors, participating Emergency Shelters should check the weather forecast by 9:00 AM daily and determine if the Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter policy is to be implemented to provide warming centers and offer cold weather beds.
Emergency Shelters contracted with the Chester County Department of Community Development are encouraged to institute the Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter Policy guidelines during life threatening weather conditions and when:
1. Overnight high temperatures are forecasted at 35 degrees or below.
2. Temperatures are forecasted to have a heat index of 90 degrees or above, including humidity.
During extreme weather conditions, participating Emergency Shelters will make their extreme weather emergency shelter beds available, as applicable. Anyone on an Emergency Shelter Waiting List in Chester County’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) who is identified as street homeless/living in a place not meant for human habitation will be prioritized for available emergency shelter beds.
Extreme weather placements are for one night only, although this may vary based on the length of extreme weather events. If the Emergency Shelter has an open standard bed available after an extreme weather placement, they can transition the individual or family to that bed. If it is determined that the extreme weather will persist, Emergency Shelters are to provide the current individual or family extreme weather placement until the extreme weather subsides.
Third party referrals (Hospitals, Mental Health Facilities, Drug & Alcohol Facilities, etc.) must still go through the Chester County Human Needs Network by calling 2-1-1 to be engaged by the Street Outreach Team. No third-party extreme weather or standard Emergency Shelter referrals will be accepted unless they come from 2-1-1.
Note that an exception to this policy is if an individual or a family shows up at a shelter during extreme weather conditions as described in the first paragraph after standard 2-1-1 or Street Outreach business hours (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday excluding Chester County official holidays). They should be given an extreme weather bed/unit if one is available and directed to contact 2-1-1 the next business day to get on the Emergency Shelter List.
The Street Outreach Team has the discretion on a case by case basis to provide temporary accommodations to those that are sleeping on the street or in a place not meant for human habitation. In addition to the provisions outlined above, these temporary placements are contingent on emergency shelter beds being unavailable. When emergency shelter becomes available, the individual must vacate the temporary accommodation and accept the shelter referral. Failure to accept emergency shelter will lead to loss of temporary accommodation.
For more information contact www.chesco.org/ccdcd