A CODE BLUE ALERT is declared when temperatures drop below freezing and weather conditions pose a danger to the homeless population. A Code Blue Alert allows authorities to take homeless people to local shelters or other agencies, known as “warming centers.” Shelters make additional beds and space available until conditions improve and the alert is called off.
When a Code Blue Alert has been issued, a network of agencies provides shelter, food, and clothing for people in need. Weather and temperature guidelines vary at different facilities and not all counties participate in the alert system.
Warming stations are generally open during the day for people who need a place to stay warm. Some are emergency shelters and others are general homeless shelters.
To find out if a Code Blue Alert has been issued in your county, contact the local police or visit the county or town website. For the most up-to-date information on shelters and warming centers, call 2-1-1.
County |
Information |
Designated Code Blue Shelter/Warming Center Locations | |
Atlantic County |
Single Point of Entry 609-345-5517 |
*Call Single Point of Entry First, they will direct you to appropriate services* Atlantic City Rescue Mission2009 Bacharach Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 609-345-5517 | |
Bergen County |
Bergen Co. Health & Human Services Center |
| |
Burlington County |
Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) |
| |
Camden County |
Camden County Homeless Hotline Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) |
New Life Community Dev Corp (Overnight) Joseph’s House (Overnight) | |
Cape May County |
Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) |
| |
Cumberland County |
Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148)
|
Full Gospel Assembly (Shelter) 29 West Commerce Street Ext, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 (856) 451-0999 | |
Essex County |
Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148)
|
*These are just a few shelters throughout Essex Co. To be directed to the facility that is most appropriate for you please call NJ 2-1-1* East Orange, Essex County LGBT RAIN Foundation (Overnight) | |
Gloucester County |
Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) |
*Shelters/Addresses and other pertinent information is given when you call the hotline* | |
Hudson County |
Homeless Help Hotline Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) The Hudson County Winter Emergency System will be in effect continuously from November 15,2016 ‐ March 31, 2017 |
St. Lucy’s Shelter (Overnight) 124 Claremont Ave, Jersey City | |
Hunterdon County |
Hunterdon Helpline Hunterdon County Board of Social Services |
*Please call the homeless hotline or your local board of social services* | |
Mercer County |
Mercer County Homeless Hotline |
*Refer to hotline for assistance, no designated code blue shelters in Mercer county, however if you call the Homeless hotline they will direct you to an out of county shelter that does participate in Code Blue* | |
Middlesex County |
Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) NJ 211 – Is the 24/7 Homeless Hotline for Middlesex County |
* Please call NJ 2-1-1 24/7 for shelter assistance and warming center information. | |
Monmouth County |
Monmouth County Division of Social Services Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) |
| |
Morris County |
Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) NJ 211 – Is the 24/7 Homeless Hotline for Morris County |
*Please call NJ 2-1-1 24/7 for shelter assistance and warming center information. | |
Ocean County |
Ocean County Board of Social Services/Homeless Hotline |
*Refer to your local Board of Social Services for assistance(daytime and after hours) | |
Passaic County |
Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) NJ 211 – Is the 24/7 Homeless Hotline for Passaic County |
*Please call NJ 2-1-1 24/7 for shelter assistance and warming center information. | |
Salem County |
Salem County Board of Social Services/Homeless Hotline
|
*Contact the Salem County Homeless Hotline for further information* Warming Centers: First Assembly of God The River Church Salem | |
Somerset County |
Somerset County Board of Social Services Somerset County Homeless Hotline |
*Please call the Somerset County homeless hotline or your local board of social services during daytime hours for assistance. *After 6P.M. / Weekends call Somerset County Homeless Hotline for assistance. *Contact local municipalities for information on warming centers | |
Sussex County |
Sussex County Division of Social Services |
Sussex County Division of Social Services | |
Union County |
Union County Board of Social Services Plainfield Area YMCA |
*No designated warming sites *After hours contact the Union County Homeless Hotline for assistance. *Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) for additional resources | |
Warren County |
Warren County Division of Temporary Assistance and Social Services 877-661-4357 *Use After 4:30p.m/ Weekends |
* No designated code blue shelters *Call Warren County Homeless Hotline for assistance. Warming Centers: Safe Harbor Easton Greater Shiloh Church *Call NJ 2-1-1 (877-652-1148) for additional resources |
This information last reviewed: Apr 18, 2018