Local warming shelters overflowing amid frigid weather

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — As bone-chilling cold sweeps across the region, the Western New York Coalition for the Homeless is calling on county and city leaders for a bigger space to shelter those less fortunate. This request comes after the secretary for the coalition claims shelters have reached capacity.

With wind chills in the negatives, it’s dangerous standing outside for just minutes — so imagine not having a roof over your head this week. While local warming shelters are at capacity, leaders said no one will be turned away.

“There’s been a great need in the entire homeless community in the last few years. All our shelters have been full,” said WNY Coalition for the Homeless secretary Nadia Pizarro. “There’s been an increase in homelessness just in general throughout the country and we’ve been seeing that here in Western New York.”

As of Monday night, a Code Blue has been issued in Erie County and the City of Buffalo.

Two overnight warming shelters have been opened at 586 Genesee St. and 129 Lewis St. According to Pizarro, these spaces can comfortably shelter 150 people. However, this past week, they reached capacity.

“We’re not turning anyone away. We are working with local agencies 211, DSS and other resources for placement, but we are pretty much full to the seams,” said Pizarro.

Pizarro said mats are being used for sleeping due to cots being full, and she’s now calling for a bigger space.

“We’re working with our wonderful contacts with the city and the county and a larger space to accommodate the need,” Pizarro said. “A larger space has a lot of benefits when it comes to people having more room, not on top of each other. It decreases the likelihood of arguments and things like that and high-stress situations,” Pizarro said.

Earlier Monday in Niagara County, Kenneth Good, the Code Blue director at Niagara Gospel Mission, stocked up on necessities like blankets, pillows and extra warm sweaters for those in need.

He said just like Erie County he expects a record number of those in need to arrive this week.

“You hear stories of people taking abandoned houses and kind of trying to survive, and then there is a need. I’ve heard of up to 400 people,” said Good.

Pizzaro said they also use outreach teams to drive around and bring individuals to shelter. If you see anyone in need, you should call 211 to report their location. It’s one of many ways you can help this winter.

“We accept food donations if people want to volunteer to serve food or bring food. We really have been having the community wrap around our Code Blue shelters,” Pizzaro said.

We have reached out to city leaders asking if a new location for these warming sites is in the works but have yet to hear back.

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Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

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