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Twin Cities
Chandra Colvin

As temperatures lower, warming spaces open for those in need in the Twin Cities

Law Enforcement Center lobby as warm space
Guests rest in the men’s section of the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center lobby in St. Paul Wednesday on Dec. 4. The lobby was opened as a warming space for people without shelter during dangerously cold weather.
Kerem Yücel | MPR News

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It’s cold outside, and it’s only going to get colder this winter. For those living unhoused, cold weather can bring uncertainty of how to keep warm during frigid weather.  

A large fire engulfed a homeless encampment Tuesday night in Minneapolis, leaving many displaced. The fire also spread to a nearby home. 

John Tribbett works with Avivo, an organization with services that expand to helping unhoused people. Avivo has stepped in to help Involve MN, another organization that helps unhoused people, in assisting those who were displaced by the fire.  

“These are human beings, and like any of us, they have the same wants and needs,” Tribbett said. “They’re all a part of the same community of human beings, and we really need to look out for one another.” 

Avivo and Involve MN are working to help those affected get to warming spaces and shelter. And if needed, open Involve MN for overnight shelter. 

Warming spaces open Wednesday across the Twin Cities with the expected forecast of below zero temperatures. 

Ramsey County  

Ramsey County will open warming spaces that will be available from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. to anyone in need of a warm place overnight. Those spaces will offer seating, blankets, light snacks and warm beverages. When available, winter warming supplies, such as hats and mittens, will be provided for anyone stopping by. 

“It's a tool for people to come in and get out of the cold, avoid frostbite and be able to warm up,” said Kim Cleminson, Ramsey County’s Housing Stability Deputy Director.  

These spaces will be available every night through March 31: 

  • The Holy Christian Cathedral Church, 125 Stevens St. W, for women 

  • Phalen Activity Center, 1530 Phalen Drive, for single adult males 

  • Newell Park Building, 900 Fairview Ave. N, for single adult males 

Ramsey County will also open another warming shelter on Dec. 15 for families and youth available every night through March: 

  • St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, 100 Oxford St. N, for families and youth up to age 24 

Cleminson says free rides to warming spaces will be provided. Pick-up spots include Union Gospel Mission, St. Paul Opportunity Center, Dorothy Day Center and the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center. Rides will also be provided for those that are seen enroute to warming spaces. 

After the weekend, Cleminson says more pick-up locations will be added.  

The above gendered places are also inclusive of transgender and nonbinary people.

Hennepin County 

Hennepin County lists over a dozen warming locations, including those for youth, with hours, services, and addresses. The county encourages people to call locations to confirm hours and services.  

  • Catholic Charities Opportunity Center, 740 East 17th St., (612) 204-8300 

  • Hope Avenue Twin Cities, 1229 Logan Ave., (612) 709-0326 

  • Hennepin County Libraries, All locations, (612) 543-5669 

  • Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, (612) 543-8000 

  • Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South 6th St., (612) 348-3000 

  • Peace House Community, 1816 Portland Ave., (612) 870-7263 

  • Steps of Strategy, 1803 Bryant Ave. N, (612) 431-4354 

  • Rescue Now Services, 697 13th Ave. NE, Call Hennepin Shelter Hotline at (612) 204-8200  

  • MoveFwd Drop-In, 1001 Highway 7, Room 237, Hopkins, (952) 988-8336, for youth ages 15-24  

  • Oasis for Youth Drop-In, 2200 West Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, (952) 512-2061, for youth ages 16-24 

  • Youthlink, 41 North 12th St., (612) 252-1200, for youth ages 16-24 

  • American Indian Community Development Center, 1600 East 19th St., walk-ins at first-come, first-serve basis  

Salvation Army  

The Salvation Army will add 40 “arctic overflow” beds at the Harbor Light emergency shelter Wednesday night and for the next few nights as temperatures are expected to reach below zero. Overflow beds at the shelter will be available every night starting Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2025.  

Those in need are encouraged to contact the shelter for availability. 

In addition to overflow beds, Salvation Army locations will also serve as daytime warming spaces during regular business hours when wind chills are expected to fall near or below zero through at least Thursday.  

Locations will be serving warm drinks: 

  • Brooklyn Park Salvation Army, 10011 Noble Parkway, (763) 425-0517 

  • Maplewood Salvation Army, 2080 Woodlynn Ave., (651) 779-9177 

  • North Minneapolis Salvation Army, 2024 Lyndale Ave. N., (612) 522-4871 

  • Northeast Minneapolis Salvation Army, 2727 Central Ave. NE, (612) 789-2858 

  • South Minneapolis Salvation Army, 1604 E. Lake St., (612) 721-1513 

  • St. Paul Eastside Salvation Army, 1019 Payne Ave., (651) 776-8169 

  • St. Paul West 7th Salvation Army, 401 W. 7th St., (651) 224-4316