Philadelphia Code Blue: Shelter, Outreach and the Homeless Hotline
In Philadelphia, one phone number gets an outreach team moving on a freezing night: (215) 232-1984. This guide explains when the City calls a Code Blue, what changes when it becomes "Enhanced," and exactly where to go for shelter at every hour of the day.
AT A GLANCE
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Start with the outreach hotline
You don't have to figure out shelter alone. The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) says that if you are living outdoors, or you see someone who is, you should call the City's Homeless Street Outreach Hotline at (215) 232-1984. The outreach team can help you find or get to a City-funded homeless intake center.
During a Code Blue, outreach teams work around the clock to find people outdoors and bring them to safe indoor spaces. When you call about someone else, the more specific you can be about where they are, the faster a team can reach them. If you're the one outside, you can also skip the call and go straight to an intake center. The tables below show which one is open now.
If you are or see someone living outdoors, call the City's Homeless Street Outreach Hotline at (215) 232-1984.
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Code Blue and Enhanced Code Blue, side by side
Philadelphia uses two levels of cold-weather response:
Code Blue | Enhanced Code Blue | |
|---|---|---|
When | Precipitation with temperatures at or below 32°F, or a wind chill near or below 20°F | A Code Blue that lasts three nights in a row or more |
Outreach | 24-hour outreach to find people and take them indoors | Continues |
Shelter | Extra beds, and people may stay inside emergency housing all day | Continues |
Warming centers | Not part of a standard Code Blue | OHS and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) open free public warming centers |
The City says Enhanced Code Blue warming centers are hosted by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Free Library and other sites. OEM publishes an interactive map so you can find one nearby. The map is linked from the City's Code Blue page.
What it looked like last winter
During the February 22, 2026 winter storm, the City said there was enough shelter capacity for anyone accepting help from intake teams. Extra beds were added as needed. That night it listed these warming centers:
Hub of Hope, below Dilworth Park at the 15th Street trolley entrance (opened at 4 p.m.)
Kensington Wellness Support Center, 265 East Lehigh Avenue (9 p.m. to 9 a.m.)
Prevention Point, 2913-15 Kensington Avenue (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
The Appletree Family Center at 1430 Cherry Street opened at 6 p.m. that Sunday and stayed open through Monday. These sites and hours were set for one storm, so check the City's map or call the hotline for the current list.
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Where to go for shelter, any time of day
Anyone who needs shelter can visit a City-funded intake center. Which one you go to depends on the time of day and who you are.
Daytime intake centers
Center | Address | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
Appletree Family Center | 1430 Cherry St. | Mon.–Fri., 7 a.m.–5 p.m. | (215) 686-7150 |
Roosevelt Darby Center | 804 N. Broad St. | Mon.–Fri., 7 a.m.–5 p.m. | (215) 685-3700 |
Veterans Multi-Service Center | 213-217 N. 4th St. | Tues. and Thurs., 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | (215) 923-2600 |
Appletree also lists (215) 686-7151 and (215) 686-7153.
After-hours intake centers
If you are a… | Go to | Address | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Family | Red Shield Family Residence | 715 N. Broad St. | 5 p.m.–7 a.m., holidays and weekends | (215) 787-2887 |
Family | ACTS After Hour Intake Site | 1300 E. Tulpehocken St. | 5 p.m.–7 a.m. weekdays, 24 hours on holidays and weekends | (267) 297-7870 |
Single man | Mike Hinson Resource Center | 1701 W. Lehigh Ave. | 3 p.m.–11 p.m., holidays and weekends | (267) 737-9099 |
Single woman | Gaudenzia's House of Passage | 111 N. 49th St. (entrance on 48th St.) | 5 p.m.–7 a.m., holidays and weekends | (267) 713-7778 |
The City says you're welcome at the single-adult center that most closely fits your gender identity.
Snow emergencies change the schedule. City-funded daytime intake centers close when a snow emergency is in effect. After-hours centers stay open 24/7 until the City lifts it.
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What happens when you get there
Knowing what to expect can make the first visit easier:
Security screening. You'll go through a metal detector to enter.
An assessment. A social work services manager asks about you or your household. That can include names, birthdates, Social Security numbers and family makeup.
ID, if you have it. Staff will ask for proof of identification, and sometimes proof of guardianship for children. The City says no household can be denied entrance into a shelter for lacking proof of ID or guardianship.
Finishing later. If you can't finish the assessment during business hours, you can continue at an after-hours center or come back during the day.
Other help. The assessment can lead to medical care, mental health support, drug and alcohol treatment, veterans' and legal services, and help finding longer-term housing.
If you're leaving a hospital or other institution
You don't always have to walk in on your own. Case managers and social workers at institutions such as hospitals can refer someone directly to an intake center. They do this with the City's External Agency Referral (EAR) form, which they can submit online or print and fax. If you're about to be discharged with nowhere warm to go, ask your social worker about an EAR referral before you leave.
Questions about Code Blue
The City says questions about what to do during a Code Blue should go to the Office of Homeless Services. You can reach OHS at (215) 686-7175 or 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd. in Center City.
Other doors in
Domestic violence survivors can call Women Against Abuse any time, day or night, at (866) 723-3014.
Young people ages 16 to 24 can go to a youth access point for hygiene kits, showers, food and housing assessments.
Still housed but behind on rent? Call the Homelessness Prevention InfoLine at (215) 686-7177 to ask about help with overdue rent or a security deposit. Our guide to the Philadelphia Eviction Diversion Program explains the steps if you've received a notice.
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Staying safe at home in the cold
If you're inside but struggling to stay warm, these City reminders from last winter still apply:
Smell gas? Report gas leaks right away to PGW's 24-hour emergency line at (215) 235-1212.
Water emergency? The Water Department's line, (215) 685-6300, includes a 24-hour emergency desk (option 1).
Dogs left outside: City ordinance prohibits leaving dogs outside in extreme cold without proper shelter, and owners can be fined up to $500. Call ACCT Philly at (267) 385-3800, ext. 1.
Check on neighbors, especially older adults who live alone.
Before you call
☐ The exact location: the block, cross streets or a landmark
☐ What the person looks like and whether they seem hurt or confused
☐ For yourself: whether you're a family, single adult, veteran or young person
☐ Any ID you have for each household member (you can't be turned away without it)
☐ Medication and anything you need to bring with you
☐ A charged phone so outreach can find you
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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Related help
If your utilities are at risk this winter, read our guide to Philadelphia winter shutoff rules for PECO and PGW. If your heat goes out, see how to stay warm safely until the heat is restored.
Official sources
Last checked: October 23, 2026 (Code Blue, intake center and OHS pages; the warming center sites listed are from the February 22, 2026 storm).
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