South Florida Homeless Organizations Provide Aid Amid Cold Snap

Nonprofits mobilize to distribute supplies, shelter, and compassion to those in need as temperatures drop.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 8:31am

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As temperatures drop across South Florida, local homeless organizations have stepped up to assist those most affected by the cold weather. Groups like the Homeless Voice in Fort Lauderdale and Hermanos de la Calle in Miami have organized supply distributions, opened additional shelter space, and made efforts to ensure the unhoused population has access to warmth and basic necessities.

Why it matters

Homelessness remains a persistent challenge in many South Florida communities, and extreme weather events can pose serious health risks for those living on the streets. These outreach efforts by local nonprofits highlight the ongoing need to support the most vulnerable residents and provide pathways to stable housing and services.

The details

In Fort Lauderdale, the Homeless Voice organization distributed warm clothing, blankets, and other supplies from a truck, while also working to get the most vulnerable individuals indoors. In Miami, the president of Hermanos de la Calle and his team canvassed the streets to offer shelter options at local facilities like Camillus House. The Salvation Army in Broward County also made additional space available, aiming to accommodate around 70 people overnight.

  • Temperatures dropped significantly across South Florida on Saturday night, prompting the emergency response.
  • The Homeless Voice and other organizations have been conducting these outreach efforts since the start of the cold snap earlier this week.

The players

Homeless Voice

A nonprofit organization in Fort Lauderdale that provides aid and services to the local homeless population.

Sean Cononie

A representative of the Homeless Voice organization who coordinated the supply distribution efforts.

Narciso Munoz

The president of Hermanos de la Calle, a Miami-based nonprofit that assists homeless individuals.

Camillus House

A Miami-based organization that operates shelters and provides services to the homeless community.

Salvation Army

A charitable organization with a facility in Broward County that expanded its shelter capacity during the cold weather.

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What they’re saying

“We have cots in shelters, we have beds in hotels, wherever, so we are going to try to see everyone in the streets and offer them a place to be.”

— Narciso Munoz, President of Hermanos de la Calle (wsvn.com)

“We're hopeful that many of them will take the invitation, come in, get dropped off here, walk in, the doors are open to help them.”

— Sam Gill, Senior Vice President of Camillus House (wsvn.com)

“For them to not be invisible, is very important. They have names, people like you, me, everyone else, they have a name. When you learn their name, and every time you said hi, and every time you use their name, it helps them, you know. It's not just about food, shelter, it's also about recognition, that they're a person.”

— Sallye Schwartz, Volunteer (wsvn.com)

What’s next

The Homeless Voice and other organizations plan to continue their outreach efforts in the coming days to ensure the unhoused population remains safe and sheltered as the cold weather persists.

The takeaway

This coordinated response by South Florida's homeless service providers underscores the vital role these organizations play in supporting the most vulnerable members of the community, especially during times of extreme weather. Their compassionate efforts to provide aid, shelter, and recognition to those in need serve as a model for how communities can come together to address the complex challenge of homelessness.