Cold weather shelters open as temperatures plummet
By Joe Byrnes
January 26, 2026 at 4:57 PM EST
As temperatures plunge below 40 degrees this week across Central Florida — and in many areas below freezing — shelters are available for those who need them.
Emergency homeless shelters in Orange and Seminole counties were expanding their capacity to take in more people Monday through Thursday morning, according to the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida.
Brevard
In Brevard County, Matthew's Hope opens at 4 p.m. as a freezing shelter for unhoused people, beginning Monday and for each following day as long as temperatures remain very cold. The shelter is at 825 Forrest Ave., Cocoa.
Through Friday, Melbourne First Church of the Nazarene will open a cold-night shelter each night, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and closing at 7 a.m. the next day. Dinner and breakfast will be served. The church is at 2745 S. Babcock St., Melbourne.
Lake
Lake County has an overnight shelter at LifePointe Church in Eustis and a daytime warming center at the Salvation Army in Leesburg.
LifePointe Church is at 3551 E. Orange Ave. It will open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and close at 7 a.m. the next day.
LakeXpress, the County’s fixed-route bus service, will provide free transportation to the shelter.
The Salvation Army’s daytime warming center is at 2605 South St. and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
County residents can receive cold-weather updates by texting COLD to 888-777.
Orange
Orange County is opening the gyms at Barnett Park and Goldenrod Recreation Center each night through Thursday night, beginning at 5 p.m. Other shelters are also open.
The homeless network provided this list:
“Network partners that provide shelter, food, outreach workers and day-service centers all use extra resources during weather emergencies,” the network’s news release states. “The public can help by donating directly to those nonprofit organizations and churches.”
LYNX buses will provide free transportation to a warming center.
“Secured pets are welcome on LYNX buses and at the warming centers,” according to Orange County’s website. “Pet owners must provide carriers for cats, leashes for dogs, and are responsible for bringing food and supplies.”
Osceola
Osceola County announced three shelters:
The shelters will open at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
“Those needing transportation to the shelter location can travel at no cost using LYNX buses by alerting drivers that they will be going to the cold weather shelter,” according to the Osceola County news release. “Pets are housed at Osceola Animal Services during the operation. Animals will need to be in a carrier before they board, unless they are a service dog.”
Residents can sign up for alerts by texting COLDWEATHER to 888777.
Seminole
The homeless network lists one shelter in Seminole County: Rescue Outreach Mission, 1701 Historic Goldsboro Blvd., Sanford. That cold-weather shelter will reportedly stay open through Feb. 5.
Volusia
Volusia County announced a refuge at The Bridge in DeLand. In east Volusia, Halifax Urban Ministries is arranging shelter with local churches. HUM can also arrange transportation.
The Bridge is at 421 S. Palmetto Ave. Guests are welcome Tuesday and Wednesday nights beginning at 6:30 p.m. Breakfast will be provided in the morning before the shelter closes at approximately 8 a.m. Volusia residents can contact the Neighborhood Center at (386) 734-8120, ext. 601, for information.
Residents can contact HUM by calling 386-317-5886.
Emergency homeless shelters in Orange and Seminole counties were expanding their capacity to take in more people Monday through Thursday morning, according to the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida.
Brevard
In Brevard County, Matthew's Hope opens at 4 p.m. as a freezing shelter for unhoused people, beginning Monday and for each following day as long as temperatures remain very cold. The shelter is at 825 Forrest Ave., Cocoa.
Through Friday, Melbourne First Church of the Nazarene will open a cold-night shelter each night, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and closing at 7 a.m. the next day. Dinner and breakfast will be served. The church is at 2745 S. Babcock St., Melbourne.
Lake
Lake County has an overnight shelter at LifePointe Church in Eustis and a daytime warming center at the Salvation Army in Leesburg.
LifePointe Church is at 3551 E. Orange Ave. It will open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and close at 7 a.m. the next day.
LakeXpress, the County’s fixed-route bus service, will provide free transportation to the shelter.
The Salvation Army’s daytime warming center is at 2605 South St. and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
County residents can receive cold-weather updates by texting COLD to 888-777.
Orange
Orange County is opening the gyms at Barnett Park and Goldenrod Recreation Center each night through Thursday night, beginning at 5 p.m. Other shelters are also open.
The homeless network provided this list:
- Barnett Park Recreation Center, 4801 West Colonial Drive, Orlando. Open at 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
- Goldenrod Recreation Center. 4863 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park. Open at 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
- Coalition for the Homeless, 18 N. Terry Ave., Orlando.
- Orlando Union Rescue Mission (men only), 3300 West Colonial Dive, Orlando.
- The Salvation Army Orlando (men only), 624 Lexington Ave., Orlando.
- The Salvation Army Orlando (women and children only), 400 W. Colonial Drive., Orlando.
- Matthew’s Hope, 611 Business Park Blvd., Winter Garden.
“Network partners that provide shelter, food, outreach workers and day-service centers all use extra resources during weather emergencies,” the network’s news release states. “The public can help by donating directly to those nonprofit organizations and churches.”
LYNX buses will provide free transportation to a warming center.
“Secured pets are welcome on LYNX buses and at the warming centers,” according to Orange County’s website. “Pet owners must provide carriers for cats, leashes for dogs, and are responsible for bringing food and supplies.”
Osceola
Osceola County announced three shelters:
- First United Methodist Church St. Cloud, 1000 Ohio Ave., St. Cloud.
- Iglesia Del Nazareno Casa De Vida, 2367 Fortune Road, Kissimmee.
- Poinciana Christian Church, 3181 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee.
The shelters will open at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
“Those needing transportation to the shelter location can travel at no cost using LYNX buses by alerting drivers that they will be going to the cold weather shelter,” according to the Osceola County news release. “Pets are housed at Osceola Animal Services during the operation. Animals will need to be in a carrier before they board, unless they are a service dog.”
Residents can sign up for alerts by texting COLDWEATHER to 888777.
Seminole
The homeless network lists one shelter in Seminole County: Rescue Outreach Mission, 1701 Historic Goldsboro Blvd., Sanford. That cold-weather shelter will reportedly stay open through Feb. 5.
Volusia
Volusia County announced a refuge at The Bridge in DeLand. In east Volusia, Halifax Urban Ministries is arranging shelter with local churches. HUM can also arrange transportation.
The Bridge is at 421 S. Palmetto Ave. Guests are welcome Tuesday and Wednesday nights beginning at 6:30 p.m. Breakfast will be provided in the morning before the shelter closes at approximately 8 a.m. Volusia residents can contact the Neighborhood Center at (386) 734-8120, ext. 601, for information.
Residents can contact HUM by calling 386-317-5886.