With temperatures forecasted to dip into the mid-30s early Saturday morning, the City of Austin will open overnight Cold Weather Shelters (CWS) Friday night, Dec. 20.

Registration for shelter will occur between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road. This will act as the central embarkation point for individuals seeking overnight shelter.   

The City collaborates with community partners who work directly with Austin’s unsheltered population to text information directly to individuals registered with the City’s launched text alert system.   

The Homeless Strategy Office determines when to activate Cold Weather Shelters up to one day in advance and no later than 9 a.m. each day. Shelters will open when forecasted overnight temperatures at Camp Mabry are expected to reach 35 degrees or below.

How to Access a Cold Weather Shelter    

Registration for shelter occurs between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road. Bus routes to OTC are lines: 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 142, 801. Those seeking a cold-weather shelter without the means to pay the fare will still be given a ride.  CapMetro partners with the City to transport individuals from OTC to a shelter location. An after-hours embarkation service will also be available for those seeking transportation to a shelter outside of the embarkation period.

While Cold Weather Shelters are primarily accessed by people experiencing homelessness, they are available to anyone needing a warm place to spend the night. Individuals can get information about access and activation by calling the CWS Hotline at 512-972-5055. 

Cold Weather Shelter guest guidance:

• Guests can bring their belongings as long as they can transport them to the OTC and onto a CapMetro Bus.

• Pets are allowed if they are not aggressive, can be around others, on a leash, and can sleep with their owners. If a pet needs a crate for the evening at the shelter, guests should inform staff at the OTC when registering.

• Meals will be provided.

• Women and couples can be at the same shelter but in a separate area, as capacity allows.

• Hotel vouchers will be provided to families with children and unaccompanied minors seeking shelter during activation periods.

The City does not list the locations for various reasons, including managing capacity limits and privacy concerns. However, the City is publicizing the location of the embarkation point, the OTC at 505 Barton Springs Rd.

The public is encouraged to follow AustinTexas.gov/Alerts for emergency information updated in multiple languages.