Community
Hot Temperature, What To Do
As we enjoy the beautiful weather, it’s easy to forget that scorching heat and humidity can be brutal and life-threatening for our homeless neighbors.
You may not know that more people die from summer heat than from winter cold in our area. And people who are experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable.
The good news is that heat-related illness is preventable.
When the temperature soars and you see or know of someone who may be in immediate need of shelter, contact the DC Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093, or by dialing 311 within the District.
Ice water is the first line of defense against overheating, offering both cooling and hydration. Our dedicated street outreach workers load up their backpacks and travel around the neighborhood, delivering this simple life-saving necessity to the men and women on the streets. You can do the same.
If you feel comfortable doing so, you can engage directly with someone living on the street. Introduce yourself. Ask their name. Ask if they need assistance.
Gently urge them to move into the shade. You can also print, cut and handout this guide that lets them know where they can find cool places to get out of the heat.
Our Welcome Center provides refuge from extreme temperatures. If they’re willing, encourage them to come into Friendship Place, where they can relax in the air conditioning, have a sandwich, take a cool shower, wash their clothing and use the bathroom.
As you know, once a person experiencing homelessness comes into Friendship Place, we offer them a host of additional services, from free psychiatric and medical care to transitional shelter to permanent housing. If they’re ready for our assistance, we can help them get off the streets, so that they never again face the dangers of blistering heat.
