In response to the continuing frigid weather, Mayor Vince Gray announced last night that a number of Metrobuses will be used as temporary warming centers for the city’s homeless population. That move comes in addition to several overflow shelters and the round-the-clock deployment of United Planning Organization vans to pick up and assist the homeless.

The warming buses, according to a press release from the mayor’s office, will be at locations including 935 Pennsylvania Ave NW (in front of the FBI Building); Union Station; McPherson Square (15th and K Streets NW); the West End Library (1101 24th Street NW); and the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Milwaukee Place SE. Each of the locations will have a portable restroom.

The city’s overflow shelters are located at Banneker Recreation Center, Kennedy Recreation Center, and Columbia Heights Recreation Center. Additionally, Gray is encouraging people who see homeless residents in need of assistance to call the hypothermia hotline at 1-800-535-7252 (which has reportedly been overwhelmed by calls) or 311, or to email uposh@upo.org or tweet at @dchypothermia.

The weather is expected to warm up considerably this weekend. Until then, it remains all hands on deck for the people assisting the homeless in D.C.

Photo by Darrow Montgomery