Help Starts Here

We will post resources for individuals who are living unsheltered or affected by homelessness as they become available. Please check back for updates.

Last Updated: Monday, July 14, 2025, 6:00 pm.

Weather Information

For the latest forecast, visit https://www.weather.gov/hgx/

Severe HEAT | Best Practices During High Temperatures

  • When temperatures reach the upper 90s and 100s, it’s important to dress appropriately: wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to help your body stay cool. Protect your skin with a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen.

  • Focus on proper nutrition and hydration: eat lighter meals, include fruits and vegetables with high water content, and avoid heavy, salty foods. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of cool water, and avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol.

  •  Keep newborns and elderly safe and cool, check on neighbors and those with chronic illnesses, and be sure pets have plenty of shade and fresh water.

  • Check your vehicle’s coolant levels, AC function, tire pressure, and keep extra water in your car. Learn to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke..

  • Look out for your neighbors, especially during prolonged heat waves.

Severe COLD | Best Practices During Low Temperatures

  • When temperatures reach the 20s and 30s it is important to dress appropriately, starting with dressing in layers. Layering starts with a base layer, a mid-layer and an outer layer to trap the heat efficiently. Stay dry, wet clothes = heat loss.

  • Proper nutrition and hydration, focus on vitamin C, healthy fats, proteins, and warming spices. Stay hydrated as normal, drink warm liquids to warm the body.

  •  Keep newborns and elderly safe and warm, look after the chronically ill, be sure pets have warmth.

  • Check your battery/antifreeze levels, gas tank at least 50% full, properly-inflated tires, know the signs of frostbite, know the signs of hypothermia.

  • Look out for your neighbors.

Weather Relief

City of Houston

Houston libraries and multi-service centers will function as cooling centers during normal business hours. The Central Library Downtown is unavailable as a cooling center. Community centers operated by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department will open to the public after conclusion of daily programming for enrolled participants. For updated information visit their website - https://www.houstonoem.org/extreme-heat/

With the continued extreme heat, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management has activated its Heat Plan. The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) system will open the lobby, meeting rooms, and restrooms at the branches to serve as cooling centers. Dependent on weather changes, HCPL may close early or not open.

A map displaying these locations is available at www.readyharris.org. Click here for the most up-to-date information regarding HCPL cooling centers, locations, and hours. Days and hours of operation may vary daily by location.

Shelters

The Beacon Day Center

Services offered Thursday–Monday:

  • Breakfast: 7–9:30 a.m. (serves 200 people)

  • Lunch: 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (serves 200 people)

  • Full-service laundry: Intake starts at 7 a.m., first come, first served

  • Five private showers: Intake starts at 7 a.m., first come, first served

For more information about shelters visit The Red Cross. Or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for information about temporary housing for people who are not able to return to damaged homes.

Red Cross

Medical Care

The Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD clinic, outpatient, and administrative offices will remain open. Please contact the Access and Crisis line at 713-970-7000, available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week if you have any mental health crisis or emergency needs.

Harris County

We anticipate resuming regular operations at the Caroline, Cathedral, and Reed Family Clinics. We will work to accommodate as many patients as possible, including prescription refills for existing patients. In the meantime, you may call our after-hours line at 713-286-6000 to leave a message for your provider and someone will get back to you.

HHH Medical and Social Services

Mental Health Emergency and Crisis

Local Resources

Call 2-1-1 for information and resources related to the recent flooding. United Way's trained HELPLINE specialists are answering calls 24/7 to provide information and referrals to storm-related resources drawn from a comprehensive database of social services.

United Way Helpline

Anyone can visit a city library, community center, or multi-service center during normal business hours to find relief from the heat, charge their devices, and rest. The schedules for these facilities can be found at the following links:

Those needing transportation to a city facility can contact 3-1-1 to arrange for a free ride.

City of Houston Office of Emergency Management

Local Emergency Management Authorities

City of Houston
City of Pasadena
Harris County
Montgomery County
Fort Bend County

For information about whether local jurisdictions will be opening cooling centers and other resources.

Immediate Needs

Houston Food Bank offers food assistance through partners in 18 counties, including Harris, Montgomery, Chambers, Liberty, Polk, San Jacinto and Walker counties. To find food near you, click here for a list of distribution sites in your area.

Food Assistance

Disaster Assistance

How can I help?

You may support our efforts to promote health, hope, and dignity for those affected by homelessness by