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Atlanta to open warming center ahead of near-freezing temps

November 30, 2020 Atlanta: Tarak Megahead basked in the sunlight of a very chilly day on the front steps of First Atlanta United Methodist Church at 360 Peachtree St NE, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 in downtown Atlanta. Megahead said he spent the night out in the cold Monday night. As the temperatures drop, Atlanta’s homeless population becomes vulnerable to the outdoor elements of freezing cold. With COVID-19 in 2020 people are asking what that means for Atlanta’s homeless population who seek shelter. . It has not been this cold since February, according to Channel 2 Action News. Temperatures are 15 to 25 degrees lower than on Monday morning. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

November 30, 2020 Atlanta: Tarak Megahead basked in the sunlight of a very chilly day on the front steps of First Atlanta United Methodist Church at 360 Peachtree St NE, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 in downtown Atlanta. Megahead said he spent the night out in the cold Monday night. As the temperatures drop, Atlanta’s homeless population becomes vulnerable to the outdoor elements of freezing cold. With COVID-19 in 2020 people are asking what that means for Atlanta’s homeless population who seek shelter. . It has not been this cold since February, according to Channel 2 Action News. Temperatures are 15 to 25 degrees lower than on Monday morning. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)
By
Jan 3, 2021

The city of Atlanta will open an emergency warming center Sunday evening in anticipation of near-freezing temperatures.

Atlanta temperatures are expected to drop as low as 33 degrees, according to Channel 2 Action News.

The warming center is at the former Ramada Hotel at 450 Capitol Ave., just south of I-20 at the corner of Capitol Avenue and Fulton Street. It will open at 11 p.m. Sunday and remain open through 8:30 a.m., the city said in a statement.

Residents who need assistance can call the city by dialing 311 if they are inside Atlanta city limits or by calling 404-546-0311.

About the Author

Asia Simone Burns is a watchdog reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.

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