Inclement Weather Shelter

The City of Richmond has made additional significant investments—standing up a new 100-bed inclement weather shelter for single adult men and women and a new year-round 50 bed shelter for single adult men under the operation of The Salvation Army. 

Inclement Weather Shelter

1900 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23222

• The inclement weather (IWS) shelter operates from November 15 through April 15; this is NOT a year-round shelter. 
• During the inclement weather season, the IIWS is open from 5:00 PM-8:00 AM
• The IWS provides dinner and breakfast for shelter guests.
• Access to the shelter is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

50-Bed Year Round Men’s Shelter

1900 Chamberlayne, Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23222

• This shelter serves men–the greatest population of unsheltered individuals in the region
• Access to the shelter is facilitated through Homeward’s Homeless Connection Line. Men in need may contact 804-972-0813 to seek shelter and access to services and resources. This is the primary access point for the region’s network of homeless services and emergency homeless shelters.
• The men’s shelter is a year-round shelter.

Resources

• Homeless Services Contact Sheet flyer

Cooling Centers

The City of Richmond has a number of cooling centers located across the City designed to provide residents with a place to retreat from the heat. Residents can find relief at Richmond Public Libraries and the Department of Social Services. Additionally, when temperatures hit 92°F or higher, the City of Richmond activates a walk-up Inclement Weather Shelter at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23222.

Protect yourself from extreme heat by staying cool, hydrated, and aware of the risk factors and warning signs of heat-related illness. Learn more at: ready.gov/summer-ready

Department of Social Services

 Monday-Saturday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

• Marshall Plaza Building, 900 E. Marshall Street, Richmond, VA 23219
• Southside Community Service Center, 4100 Hull Street, Richmond, VA 23224

Richmond Public Libraries

  Daily, 10:00 AM – Closing Varies

Operating Hours vary by branch. To find individual library hours, visit: rvalibrary.org/about/hours/

• Main Library, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219
• Belmont, 3100 Ellwood Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23221
• Broad Rock, 4820 Old Warwick Road, Richmond, Virginia 23224
• East End, 1200 N. 25th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223
• Ginter Park, 1200 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227
• Hull Street, 1400 Hull Street, Richmond, Virginia 23224
• North Avenue, 2901 North Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23222
• West End, 5420 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23226
• Westover Hills, 1408 Westover Hills Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia 23225

Public pools

  Monday – Friday, Noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, Noon – 7 p.m.

• Battery Park Pool, 2719 Dupont Circle
• Blackwell Pool, 238 E. 14th Street
• Fairmont Pool, 2000 U Street
• Hotchkiss Field Pool, 701 E. Brookland Park Boulevard
• Powhatan Pool, 1000 Apperson Street
• Randolph Pool, 1507 Grayland Avenue
• Woodville Pool, 2305 Fairfield Avenue

Inclement Weather Shelter

If the temperature is expected to reach 92°F for two or more consecutive hours during the day, the Salvation Army Extreme Heat and Weather Shelter will open. Guests will be served lunch while in this cooling center.

  The site will remain open overnight if temperatures are predicted to be 92°F or higher at 9 p.m. 

• 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue

Energy Assistance Resources

The Virginia Department of Social Services facilitates the Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) which assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The EAP consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance and Weatherization Assistance.

To be eligible for Fuel, Crisis or Cooling Assistance, households must have a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income may not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Applications for fuel, crisis, and cooling assistance are accepted at the local departments of social services and can be submitted in-person, by mail (USPS), or by fax.

Extreme Heat Do's and Dont's

Below are several Do's and Dont's provided by the Richmond Henrico Health District for residents to consider during the summer months.

Do:

1. Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned places, such as cooling centers, malls, or libraries.
2. Use electric fans to provide comfort when the temperature is below 95 degrees. Fans can make sweat evaporate more quickly from your body. More evaporation means more heat can leave your body.
3. Take a cool shower or bath to help cool off.
4. Minimize direct exposure to the sun.
5. Stay hydrated-drink water or beverages without caffeine, sugar, or alcohol throughout the day.
6. Eat light, cool, and easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.
7. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes.
8. Know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and the appropriate responses.
9. Check the local news for health and safety updates.

Don't:

1. Don't leave children, pets, or persons with mobility problems alone in cars for any amount of time.
2. Don't drink alcohol to try to stay cool.
3. Avoid using the stove or oven to cook — it will make you and your house hotter.
4. Avoid heavy, hot, or hard-to-digest foods.
5. Don't wear heavy, dark clothing, which absorbs the heat from the sun.
6. Skip exercising outdoors during the hottest hours of the day (usually 10:00am to 5:00pm).
7. Don't use an electric fan when the temperature is over 95 degrees. When the temperature is in the mid-90s or higher, electric fans will not prevent heat-related illness