AUSTIN, Texas — Cooler temperatures have made their way into Central Texas this week.
People walked through Downtown Austin on Monday bundled up in winter coats. Anne Claire Johnson and Sydney McNiff were trying to stay warm.
"Wear[ing] all of our fabulous winter wear that we never get to wear here," Johnson said.
With chilly temperatures expected over the next few days, the City of Austin does have warming centers open at places like public libraries during the day. However, for the City to open overnight shelters, there is criteria that must be met.
Marlon Haygood is an emergency planning officer with Austin Public Health. He said the department works closely with the National Weather Service.
"They have data collection at Camp Mabry that we use to guide our opening determinations [for overnight warming shelters]. That threshold is going to be 32 degrees Fahrenheit if its dry, 35 degrees if it’s wet or precipitation, or if the wind chill brings it below 32 degrees Fahrenheit," Haygood said.
A 2022 audit showed at least four times that City shelters were not open when they should have been. The audit said the City struggled with staffing and training when it comes to overnight shelters.
Haygood said since that audit, adjustments have been made.
"For staffing, we now contract Austin Area Urban League. There are three shelter locations where they will serve up to 300 people seeking shelter. If the shelter reaches capacity, the City of Austin provides additional space," Haygood said.
Haygood said he did not except the shelters to open on Monday night based on the temperatures, but said they could up later this week.
"I think we are prepared," he said. "We have made a lot of changes."