The Western New York Coalition for the Homeless has announced an expansion of its Code Blue initiative to provide the homeless with warm facilities on cold nights.
Effective immediately, Code Blue 32 will be enacted when temperatures or wind chills are between 16 and 32 degrees. Currently Code Blue takes effect at 15 degrees.
The new plan is the result of an order from Governor Andrew Cuomo, to provide shelter to those at risk from below freezing temperatures, and requiring shelters to expand hours of operation to allow affected individuals to stay indoors during cold weather.
Code Blue overnight shelters are located at the Matt Urban Hope Center, 385 Paderewski Drive and Harbor House, at 241 Genesee Street.