Cold-Weather Shelters To Open In Hillsborough With Limited Space

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — With limited capacity, Hillsborough County’s cold weather shelters program will be activated this weekend on Friday night, Jan. 28, Saturday night, Jan. 29, and Sunday night, Jan. 30, for the homeless and those who live in homes without adequate heat.

The National Weather Service expects local temperatures to dip to or below 40 degrees with wind chill in Hillsborough County.

The availability of motel vouchers will be limited because of a busy event weekend.

Congregate shelters will be at limited capacity and will comply with social distancing recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each resident who chooses to take advantage of cold weather shelters will be screened upon entry. Residents and volunteers will be required to wear a face covering while inside the shelter, and one will be provided if they do not have one. Meals will be served in single-serve containers.

Hillsborough County is partnering with The Portico and Amazing Love Ministries to provide limited-capacity cold weather shelters for adults.

The Portico at 1001 N Florida Ave., Tampa, opens at 6 p.m. for adults.

Amazing Love Ministries at 3304 E Columbus Drive, Tampa, also opens at 6 p.m. for adults.

Metropolitan Ministries and Tampa Crossroads are supplying a limited number of single-night motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis. Preregistration is required by calling the numbers below. Phone lines turn on at 9 a.m. and the deadline to call is 5 p.m.

Individuals and families can call 813-209-1176.

Individuals and couples without children can call 813-702-0850.

Organizations interested in hosting a cold weather shelter this season can contact Julie Watkinson, community relations coordinator, at 813-276-2677 for more information.