PORTLAND, Maine — The City of Portland will open an emergency overnight warming shelter this weekend, operating Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23, 24 and 2, from 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. at 166 Riverside Industrial Parkway.
City officials said a free shuttle service will be available to transport guests to and from the warming shelter during operating hours. The shelter phone line and the shuttle can be reached at (207) 810-6727.
The weekend opening is part of Portland’s Winter Warming Plan, which the city said was designed in collaboration with community partners to prevent exposure-related hazards among people experiencing homelessness. The plan includes outreach services and an overnight emergency warming shelter staffed by City of Portland employees, along with daytime warming stations operated by partner organizations.
The city said these resources are in addition to permanent emergency shelters operating in Portland year-round.
Portland’s overnight warming shelter for unsheltered adults is activated during the months of November through March when the daily low temperature reaches 15 degrees Fahrenheit or below, or when snow accumulation exceeds 10 inches. The city’s Emergency Management Coordinator monitors National Weather Service forecasts and alerts partners when activation criteria are met.
When the plan is officially activated, the city said the public can find information through the City of Portland website homepage alert bar, the city’s social media platforms, or by calling 2-1-1. The city said other key providers are also updated to support outreach to unsheltered residents.
The warming shelter’s stated maximum capacity is 60 people.
Shuttle service is scheduled to operate from 7:30 p.m. to midnight and from 4 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Rides can be requested by calling (207) 810-6727 during shuttle hours once a person is at a shuttle stop and ready to be picked up.
Shuttle stop locations include Health & Human Services at 39 Forest Ave., Spurwink’s Living Room at 62 Elm St., and St. Vincent de Paul at 307 Congress St., which the city noted is available Monday through Friday only.
City officials said there is no advance sign-up list for beds. When the warming shelter opens its doors at 7:30 p.m., beds will be given to guests as they arrive.
