The Office of Homeless Solutions extends the opening of temporary inclement weather shelters (TWIS) for residents experiencing homelessness in Dallas due to frigid temperatures

The Office of Homeless Solutions has been monitoring the weather forecast and based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric forecast, has extended the opening of temporary inclement weather shelters (TWIS) in the City of Dallas through Monday, January 3 and potentially additional days this week in accordance with Chapter 45 of the City Code.

Individuals experiencing homelessness are encouraged to seek shelter at any one of the City’s existing, overnight shelter provider locations. If those shelters are at capacity, guests can seek shelter at one of two, temporary inclement weather shelters – Oak Lawn United Methodist Church (UMC) and OurCalling.

Oak Lawn UMC is located at 3014 Oak Lawn Avenue (Council District 14) and OurCalling is located at 1702 S. Cesar Chavez Blvd. (Council District 2). Intake hours at both locations are 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission to Oak Lawn UMC closes at 9:00 p.m. Any guests who arrive at Oak Lawn UMC after 9:00 p.m. will be directed to OurCalling which will remain open overnight.

Onsite rapid response COVID-19 testing will be available at both locations. Individuals who test positive will be isolated and transported to a third shelter that will be operated and staffed by OHS and affiliated partners. For the safety and security of staff and guests, the location is not being disclosed at this time. Additional information will be provided once the shelters close. The COVID-19 quarantine shelter will remain open until further notice, with guests encouraged to remain in isolation until that time, when they are transported to another location for the remainder of their isolation period.

A tremendous amount of preparation and planning has resulted in a well-organized plan to care for the City’s unsheltered neighbors this weekend. All necessary precautions have been taken to ensure staff and guests remain safe. This work would not have been possible without support from the Office of Emergency Management, Dallas Fire Rescue, Oak Lawn UMC, OurCalling, Stewpot, Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA), Downtown Dallas Inc., and all of the area homeless services providers. Collectively, they are providing medical services, meals, and transportation throughout this period.

Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant and the vulnerability of the unsheltered population, access to these shelters is strictly limited to OHS and partnering staff.