'White Flag' Night Called for Emergency Shelter from Cold

11/18/2005

Agencies providing shelter for homeless individuals have activated the "White Flag" (WF) initiative for winter 2005 this week based on the cold-weather evening forecast over the next few days. In extremely cold conditions, White Flag sites provide shelter beyond their regular capacity.

The WF sites are the South Wilmington Street Center, 1420 S. Wilmington Street; The Healing Place of Wake County, 1251 Goode Drive; Helen Wright Center for Women, 401 W. Cabarrus Street; Raleigh Rescue Mission, 314 E. Hargett Street; and the Salvation Army, 215 S. Person Street. White Flag events are identified by extreme inclement weather along with an actual white flag displayed at the facility.

White Flag events are called when the temperature is projected to be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below any time between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. or when there is heavy or steady precipitation and the temperature is projected to be 38 degrees Fahrenheit or below between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

On average in Wake County, more than 1,100 individuals are homeless each night and 35,000 more are doubled-up with other families and are at-risk for homelessness. During winter 2003-04, the number of White Flag beds increased by 172 percent over the previous winter.

All men should first contact the South Wilmington Street Center for referral. Women without children should contact the Helen Wright Center for Women. Women with or without children may also contact the Salvation Army or the Raleigh Rescue Mission.

back to current news items