Buffalo Announces Code Blue Shelters for Upcoming Winter Months

Yes, it was in the 70s within the past few weeks. But we all know where we live, and we all know what it means when the calendar flips to November and December. It might not have happened yet, but the snow is coming and bringing with it freezing temperatures.

As the City of Good Neighbors, it’s important to be on the lookout for those who need a little help during the winter months. To help protect people in need of shelter when the temperature dips below freezing, the city of Buffalo on Friday announced the start of the Code Blue Initiative for 2024-2025.

A new agency has been announced as the city’s partner in these efforts: Sylvia’s House, Inc. The group’s Facebook page lists its mission as providing “temporary shelter, compassionate support, and resources to empower individuals experiencing homelessness towards achieving stability and independence.”

“Code Blue is the emergency weather safety plan for the city of Buffalo and Erie County that provides outreach, transportation, shelter, and a warm meal to any individual experiencing homelessness or a housing emergency on evenings when the temperatures or wind chill falls to 32 degrees or below,” the city says. “The goal of Code Blue is to eliminate winter weather-related deaths in Buffalo and Erie County.”

For the upcoming winter months, the city’s Code Blue overnight shelter is located at Restoration Society Inc., 586 Genesee Street in Buffalo. The city is currently working to secure a second location if the need arises.

Of course, shelter might also be needed during the day in case of emergencies or those snowstorms that like to sneak up on us from time to time.

This year, there will be a daytime warming center, open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., at RSI, should the daytime temperature fail to rise above 32 degrees.

If you’re in need of assistance, or know someone who might be, the best way to find out if the daytime shelter is open is by calling 211 or texting CodeBlueBuffalo to 898-211 to sign up for automated alerts.

We know winters in Buffalo and Erie County can be brutal. Warming shelters provide a great need for our community. Last year alone, Code Blue helped more than 900 people have a safe place to stay during those frigid winter nights.

Funding for Code Blue Buffalo is provided by the city, Erie County, National Fuel, M&T Bank, and the Evans Devereaux Memorial Fund and is operated in partnership with the Code Blue Collective, which includes Sylvia’s House, 211 WNY, Hearts for the Homeless, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services, Restoration Society Inc., Salvation Army, the NFTA, BestSelf Behavioral Health, and the Homeless Alliance of WNY.

If you’d like to make a donation to help your neighbors this winter, the Code Blue Collaborative will gladly accept cash or donations of food, coffee supplies, toiletries and personal care items, cleaning or laundry products, waterproof gloves, and cold weather clothing and footwear.