With cold temperatures expected today and Friday night, Gainesville will activate its Cold Night Shelter Program.
Temperatures may sink below 45 degrees during the evening, which prompted the activation, according to a city news release.
St. Francis House and Grace Marketplace at the Empowerment Center will provide overnight shelter to anyone in need of a warm place to stay until the overnight low raises above 45 degrees, according to the release.
There is also a 60-percent chance of precipitation today, with winds ranging from six to eight mph, according to a forecast from the National Weather Service.
St. Francis House provides temporary shelter appropriate for families, women and children.
Grace Marketplace primarily serves individual adults, according to the release.
Both shelters provide food, showers and laundry, among other services, according to the release.
In the past, the city has opened up shelters for extreme weather, including hurricanes.
The shelter program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31 when temperatures reach below 45 degrees, according to the release.
The program’s funding is provided by the city, Alachua County and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information about the program, contact John Wachtel at 352-393-8565 or wachteljs@cityofgainesville.org.
