As temperatures plummet, many New Yorkers are confronted with a stark reality: more than 4,500 people experiencing homelessness are living on the streets. When the windchill drops below 32 degrees between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m., the city’s Department of Social Services issues a “Code Blue” alert, triggering a specific set of protocols for outreach and assistance.
Understanding the Code Blue Response
During a Code Blue event, over 400 outreach workers, largely contracted through non-profit organizations, shift their focus. While typically engaged in street canvassing and responding to 311 calls, they prioritize individuals on pre-established priority lists submitted by service providers. These lists focus on those most vulnerable – older individuals, people with medical, mental health, or substance use conditions, and those inadequately prepared for the cold.
Calls to 311 regarding homeless assistance are automatically rerouted to 911 during Code Blue nights, bringing police officers and emergency medical technicians into the response. According to Lt. Anthony Almojera, vice president of Local 3621, the volume of calls to EMS surges during these periods, with individuals also seeking shelter in the subway system.
Outreach workers are tasked with contacting individuals on the priority lists every four hours, or every two hours during rain or snow. First responders evaluate individuals for cold-related injuries, and may transport them to Department of Homeless Services (DHS) facilities. Outreach specialists with existing relationships can directly arrange placement in a shelter if the individual agrees.
Available Shelter Options During Code Blue
During a Code Blue alert, access to shelter is eased. Options include:
- Traditional adult and family shelters accept walk-ins and referrals without standard eligibility screenings.
- Drop-in centers, offering 24-hour access to services like laundry and meals, take in as many people as fire safety allows. A complete list of drop-in centers is available here.
- Safe haven sites and stabilization-bed programs provide single-occupancy rooms and allow walk-ins, even if a bed isn’t immediately available.
- Hospital emergency rooms cooperate with DHS by allowing unsheltered individuals to remain in waiting rooms when appropriate.
When individuals decline shelter, outreach workers engage in assessment, attempting to understand their plans for staying warm. In rare and dire circumstances, involuntary removal may be considered if there are concerns about an individual’s mental health.
How You Can Help
Advocates and experts, including David Giffen, executive director for the Coalition for the Homeless, encourage New Yorkers to call 311 if they are concerned about someone experiencing homelessness during cold weather. Even with the call being routed to 911, the priority remains keeping individuals safe. Nine unhoused people died of “excessive natural cold” between July 2023 and June 2024, underscoring the urgency.
Beyond calling 311, Erica Strang of Center for Urban Community Services suggests directly asking someone you know who is unsheltered if they are staying warm, if they need blankets or food, and what their plans are for the night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when I call 311 about someone experiencing homelessness during a Code Blue alert?
During a Code Blue alert, calls to 311 regarding homeless assistance are rerouted to 911, and first responders – including police officers and emergency medical technicians – are dispatched to the location.
Who is prioritized during a Code Blue event?
Outreach workers prioritize individuals on lists submitted by service providers, focusing on those who are older, have medical or mental health conditions, experience substance use, or appear chronically underdressed for the weather.
What types of shelters are available during a Code Blue?
During a Code Blue, traditional shelters, drop-in centers, safe haven sites, stabilization-bed programs, and even hospital emergency rooms offer shelter and assistance with relaxed intake procedures.
What role can individuals play in helping those experiencing homelessness during the winter months?
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