With nighttime temperatures expected to dip into the teens across the state over the next few days, Delaware’s emergency homeless shelters are opening doors in preparation for those in need of a warm, safe place to sleep.
Nonprofit and volunteer organizations that operate the shelters declared a Code Purple on Monday as temperatures hovered around freezing. A Code Purple is declared when severe snowstorms or below-freezing temperatures hit the First State, prompting emergency shelters to open to expand bed capacity beyond year-round shelter bed availability.
Wind chills across the state are expected to be in the single digits to the low teens Monday and Tuesday, with overnight lows in the teens to low 20s. The conditions make it ripe for frostbite and/or hypothermia even after a short time outside.
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“The dropping temperatures, the strong winds and the wind chills arriving in Delaware will mean dangerous conditions outside,” Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Molly Magarik said in a news release. “We encourage anyone without a place to go to find a spot at a Code Purple shelter.”
The shelters are observing social distancing as COVID-19 cases pummel the state and capacity will be limited.
To be connected to Code Purple resources, call the individual shelter locations or call the Delaware Housing Alliances Centralized Intake Line at 1-833-FIND-BED (833-346-3233).
If you see someone outside who appears to be homeless, encourage them to seek emergency shelter or call a non-emergency police number to alert officers to the situation.
“We are always grateful to the series of nonprofits and volunteers that operate Code Purple shelters across our state, but we are especially thankful for the work they are doing during the pandemic to keep vulnerable people safe,” Gov. John Carney said in the release. “This is the true meaning of neighbors helping neighbors.”
Here’s what you need to know about shelters across Delaware.
New Castle County shelters
Wilmington: The Salvation Army building operates a shelter for women and children only at 400 N. Orange St. To register, call 302-652-8033 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Individuals will also need to register in person at 720 N. Orange St. in Wilmington. There is space for about 15 people.
Newark: The Newark Empowerment Center connects people with overnight stays at a rotating group of churches when Code Purple is declared. Pre-registration, including a rapid COVID-19 test, is required. To register and get the location, visit the center at 62 E. Delaware Ave., between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily. For more information, call 302-544-0165. There is space for about 10 people.
Middletown: Pre-registration, including a rapid COVID-19 test, is required. Call 302-416-0982 between 9 and 11:30 a.m. daily. Individuals also will need to register in person at 44 W. Main St., Middletown. There is space for about 10 people.
Kent County shelters
Kent County has ongoing sanctuaries, with check-in beginning at 5:30 p.m. and check-out at 8 a.m. There is a men’s shelter at Peoples Church, located at 46 S. Bradford St. in Dover, and a women and children’s shelter at Maranatha Life Changing Church, located at 1235 E. Division St. in Dover. To connect with these emergency shelter options, call the Kent County hotline at 1-800-733-6816 or visit www.codepurplekentcounty.com.
Sussex County shelters
Western Sussex: Code Purple shelters are housed in churches, with a central location for an evening meal. For more information call the hotline at 302-519-0024 or visit codepurplesussexcounty.com.
Shelters for men include the Church of God at 425 Stein Highway in Seaford, Avenue United Methodist Church at 20 N. Church Ave. in Milford. Check-in is at 8 p.m. for the former location and 8:30 to 9 p.m. for the latter location. Both locations require a 7 a.m. checkout.
The Grace Seaford Church at 805 Atlanta Road in Seaford is available for women, with check-in from 8:30 to 9 p.m. and checkout at 7 a.m.
Milford Nazarene at 11 NW Salevan Place in Milford is available for women with or without children. Check-in is from 8 to 9 p.m. and checkout is 7 a.m.
Eastern Sussex: To reserve a spot at the former Troop 7 Building at 18006 Coastal Highway in Lewes, which operates a shelter all winter, call 302-269-7050 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. For reservations after 2 p.m., call 302-519-0024. Shelter hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
