AUSTIN, Texas — The city of Austin is implementing new rules when it comes to its cold weather emergency shelters this year.
The first change is the temperature criteria. Shelters will open when it's projected to be 35 degrees or below at Camp Mabry.
“In the years prior, it was a three-tier system that determined whether we opened shelters. The overnight temperatures had to be either 32 degrees, 35 degrees with rain or 35 degrees with wind chill of 32 degrees,” said Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray.
Next, clients will be notified a day in advance when the shelters will be open.
"Gives clients more time to gather their belongings and prepare to come in the shelter, and gives providers and staff more time to prepare for all of our guests. We want to make this easy and seamless for everybody involved," said Gray.
In years past, transportation to shelters was only available to clients who gathered at the One Texas Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This year, that's changed.
"After 8 p.m., will have transportation available to get them from embarkation point to any of the shelters that have availability. So folks can come at 9 p.m., they can come at 3 a.m., it does not matter. We will have a way to get them from One Texas Center to safe, warm bed," said Gray.