City of Columbia extend temporary overnight warming center hours at Wabash Bus Station on Jan. 1

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services is reminding the public of several locations in Columbia available to those who need shelter from the extreme cold.

Warming centers are available to the general public during the building's normal business hours. The public is allowed access to public areas, such as lobbies, restrooms, drinking fountains, etc.

Columbia's warming centers include:

• ARC (Activity and Recreation Center), 1701 W. Ash St.
• Boone County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut St.
• Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley St.
• Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway
• Salvation Army, 1108 W. Ash St.
• Salvation Army Harbor House, 602 N. Ann St.
• St. Francis House, 901 Range Line St.

Official shelters provide sleeping accommodations and they may or may not include meals. Shelter availability may vary. Columbia's official shelters include:

• Room at the Inn, visit roomattheinncomo.org for dates and locations
• Salvation Army Harbor House (men, women and families), 602 N. Ann St.
• Rainbow House (for children/youth), 1611 Towne Dr.
• True North (for domestic violence), please call 573.875.1370
• Welcome Home (for veterans), 2120 Business Loop 70 E.
• St. Francis House (for men), 901 Range Line St. - must be vaccinated to stay overnight

In the event of a National Weather Service forecast for temperatures nine degrees Fahrenheit or below between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. of a given day, the City of Columbia will open a temporary overnight warming center at the Wabash Bus Station, 126 N. 10th St., from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The City of Columbia will extend the hours of its temporary overnight warming center at Wabash Bus Station, 126 N. 10th St. on Saturday, Jan. 1. The temporary overnight warming center will remain open until 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2.

The overnight warming center will serve as a refuge of last resort for persons unwilling or unable to access local emergency shelter services. City staff will continue to coordinate closely with homeless service providers to ensure low barrier access to overnight emergency shelter as the preferred option for persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness.