City to Open Two White Flag Warming Centers During Cold Weather

The Greensboro Community Safety Department (CSD) has launched its cold weather plan, which runs through March 31. The CSD is funding and staffing two designated White Flag warming centers:

• For individuals: Interactive Resource Center (IRC), 407 E. Washington St.
• For families: Glenwood Recreation Center, 2010 Coliseum Blvd.

As part of the Guilford County Continuum of Care (Guilford CoC*), the CSD will activate the White Flag overnight warming centers when the actual or "feels-like" temperature is at least 32 degrees for two or more hours. A White Flag alert can take effect when the forecast or current conditions include a winter weather event with freezing precipitation, extended below-freezing temperatures, and/or wind concerns, which may impact homeless encampments.

Starting Saturday, November 7, the IRC will open a weekend warming center from 8 am to 6 pm every Saturday and Sunday, regardless of the White Flag status, through the end of March.

The City's CSD takes a holistic, collaborative approach to improving Greensboro's public safety through community-centered prevention initiatives, crisis intervention services to help de-escalate violence, and long-term, intensive case management for individuals whose issues-such as mental health, substance use, and homelessness- have put them in frequent contact with law enforcement. For more information, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/csd.

*The Guilford CoC is the regional planning and coordination body responsible for strategizing, managing resources, and implementing programs to prevent and end homelessness across Guilford County.