City expands criteria for opening respite centers for unsheltered
Hope Cooperative staff at the respite center check in counter on Auburn Blvd.
Sacramento, CA (Aug. 3, 2023) - The Sacramento City Council Tuesday voted to expand the circumstances under which the City of Sacramento will open weather respite centers.
Respite centers will now open when the National Weather Service issues a watch for a severe wind event or thunderstorm, and when air quality deteriorates to the “unhealthy” level.“
Previously, center openings were triggered by hot or cold weather forecasts.
“This (agenda) item is essentially broadening our weather criteria to activate weather respite centers,” said Nick Golling, Homeless Services Manager for the City’s Department of Community Response.
During the Council discussion, City Manager Howard Chan also shared that a partnership with Sacramento Regional Transit is ongoing to help get unsheltered residents safely to respite locations.
Outreach and Engagement Center on Auburn Blvd.
Here is a detailed list of the new criteria:
Wind/Severe Weather Threshold:
NWS issuance of a High-Wind Watch, Warning, Wind Advisory, or Severe Thunderstorm Watch/Warning.
Cold Weather Threshold:
A 50% or higher probability of nighttime lows of 37 degrees or lower for two or more days within a five-day span.
Rain for two or more consecutive days (forecast 60% or more) during Meteorological Fall and Winter (September 1 - March 1)
One day or night of rain combined with nighttime lows with a 50% or higher probability of 32 degrees or lower.
A wind chill factor of 37 degrees or lower for two or more days within a five-day span; or
A Wind Advisory announced by the National Weather Service, Sacramento during
Meteorological Fall and Winter (September 1 - March 1).
Hot Weather Threshold:
NWS issuance of an Excessive Heat Watch, Warning, or Heat Advisory
Air Quality Index (AQI) Threshold:
AQI of 151 or higher. Categorized as “Unhealthy”, some members of the general public may experience healthier effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
“In the long term, as we build out our partnerships with the County and the State of California, we ought to endeavor for year round respite - not weather based,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
Criteria for opening respite centers is different from the conditions or thresholds that the State of California and the County Office of Emergency Services uses. The City of Sacramento’s respite threshold is monitored by the Department of Community Response.
