San Angelo to Establish Permanent "Warming Shelter" for Cold Winter Nights

SAN ANGELO, TX – For about a month, across San Angelo, citizens are discussing the current homeless problem in San Angelo. During their meeting on Tuesday morning, the San Angelo City Council approved a proposal to open up a second warming shelter. 

During the meeting, on Feb. 7, 2023, the City Council unanimously approved that the Carl Ray Recreational Center be permanently used as warming shelter during days with freezing temperatures. In the past, the designation was it was a temporary shelter. 

For weeks, however, citizens and action agencies have been asking the City of San Angelo to construct a homeless shelter task force to find a solution for San Angelo's shelter problem. Although they have yet to do anything, some view this is step in the right direction.

Neighborhood & Family Services Director Bob Salas told the council that the existing warming shelter was used by around 30 people at one time during the most recent freeze. Some stayed the night while others just use the facility for a quick shower.  He explained that the majority of people at the warming shelter would be leftovers from the Out of the Cold Program and the Into the Warmth Program.

These two programs allow homeless individuals to stay in hotel rooms during freezing nights. However these programs have a limited number of vouchers, hence the overflow. 

The warming shelter is available for anyone to use and the City allows pets as long as the animals are not aggressive. Also ,the shelter is mainly run by volunteers although it is a City of San Angelo run program.