CHARLOTTE, NC — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office (CMEMO), Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, American Red Cross and community partners held a conference call this morning to discuss tonight’s capacity at local shelters.
Emergency Management has decided to activate an emergency shelter as demand is expected to exceed total capacity at partnering shelters and inclement weather conditions, including snow, has been forecasted in our area overnight through tomorrow.
The emergency shelter will be opened today at 5:30 p.m. at the Grady Cole Center, located on the Central Piedmont Community College Campus (310 N. Kings Dr., Charlotte). This location is currently scheduled to close at noon on Thursday, Jan. 18.
The shelter is open to everyone, including couples, families and individuals with bona fide service animals. Red Cross volunteers will operate the shelter with assistance from Mecklenburg County staff. Red Cross will also provide cots, blankets, meals and snacks.
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) provides direct bus routes (9 and 17) from the Charlotte Transportation Center at 310 E Trade St., to the Grady Cole Center. CATS’s City LYNX Gold Line is a free streetcar service that stops near the center. CATS will assist those seeking to travel to the Grady Cole Center and all partner shelters listed below. Many CATS bus routes serve one or all shelters. Those routes include 11, 13, 21, 22 and 26.
The Urban Ministry Center Outreach Team will continue to walk through the community to encourage homeless individuals to visit a shelter or provide sleeping bags and blankets if they refuse to go to a shelter.
Partner shelters are located at the following addresses:
- Salvation Army Center of Hope – 534 Spratt Street, Charlotte
- Men’s Shelter of Charlotte – 1210 North Tryon Street, Charlotte
- Urban Ministry Center (Room in the Inn) – 945 North College Street, Charlotte
Most restrictions for admission to the shelters have been waived during the severe cold weather period. CMEMO will hold another conference call on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 8 a.m. to discuss future plans based on the weather and demand for shelter.
