BALTIMORE, MD. (Friday, September 20, 2024) – The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) is proud to report the impact of a successful 2024 Code Red Extreme Heat season in serving over 9,000 Baltimore City residents, including people experiencing homelessness, from June 1, 2024 to September 1, 2024 through community-based partnerships and City-funded shelters.
During the 23 days that the city was under an official Code Red Extreme Heat Alert declaration this season, Manna House, My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, Beans & Bread, Franciscan Center, and MOHS’ latest addition, Weinberg Housing & Resource Center (WHRC) all operated as cooling centers and critical access points for residents in need of a break from the heat. WHRC was specifically added to the list this season to bridge the gap and serve residents along the Fallsway and central Downtown corridor and successfully served close to 100 residents during times of extreme heat.
“MOHS remains committed to protecting the health and safety of all vulnerable residents in Baltimore City, including people experiencing homelessness,” said MOHS Executive Director Ernestina Simmons. “We are grateful to have been able to serve over 9,000 residents this Code Red season thanks to the support of our shelter providers and community based organizations acting as critical access points for residents to receive a break from the heat and to be connected to resources. Together, we are meeting the needs of our community and we will continue doing what is necessary to keep our residents safe.”
MOHS released its Code Red Extreme Heat Alert Plan for FY25 at the beginning of the season which outlined the agency’s role in coordinating efforts with the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD), the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and Baltimore City Continuum of Care (CoC) providers to support residents when a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert is declared by the City’s health commissioner in order to protect populations that are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
“We are thankful to have had another great Code Red Season in serving all residents in need, particularly people experiencing homelessness. It is important to have cooling centers available in strategic areas across the city to bridge the gaps in services for residents in crisis and increase our ability to offer additional resources and support,” MOHS Seasonal Operations Specialist Shawnta Randolph. “We thank all of our partners and providers who helped make this season successful and we look forward to serving our residents again next season."
A Code Red Extreme Heat Alert is declared by the health commissioner when the forecasted heat index is greater than or equal to 105ºF. At that time, the five shelters operated as cooling centers and provided all city residents in need with cold water access, cooling center information, and other vital services available on site. MOHS would like to thank all of our partnering agencies and providers for their assistance in ensuring that all residents have access to cool, safe spaces during times of extreme heat.
Contact:
Jessica Dortch
Public Information Officer
(410) 746-7933
Jessica.Dortch@baltimorecity.gov