Free Warming Shelter Opens in Lafayette for Those in Need

Lafayette Consolidated Government reopens shelter to provide safe place to stay during extreme cold

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:15pm

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With another arctic blast expected to push temperatures to dangerous levels across Acadiana, Lafayette Consolidated Government is reopening its warming shelter to provide residents a safe place to stay overnight. The shelter is located at the Dupuis Recreation Center and is open to individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as anyone who may have inadequate heat at home.

Why it matters

As temperatures continue to dip, the need for shelter space has remained consistent, with the shelter seeing around 81 guests per night over the past week. The warming shelter provides a critical service to vulnerable members of the Lafayette community during extreme cold weather events.

The details

The shelter is scheduled to open at 6 p.m. and will remain open through Saturday, with plans to depopulate the shelter Sunday around 11 a.m. once the initial round of extreme cold passes. However, officials say the cold weather is expected to return, and shelter operations will resume accordingly, opening back up at 6 p.m. Sunday and closing at 9 a.m. on Monday. The shelter provides meals, hygiene kits, blankets and pillows, as well as shower access and a cot for overnight stays.

  • The shelter is scheduled to open at 6 p.m. on January 31, 2026.
  • The shelter will remain open through Saturday, January 31, 2026.
  • The shelter will depopulate around 11 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
  • The shelter will reopen at 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
  • The shelter will close at 9 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026.

The players

Christina Dayries

Chief of Staff for Lafayette Consolidated Government.

Lafayette Consolidated Government

The local government of Lafayette, Louisiana, which is reopening the warming shelter to provide a safe place for residents during extreme cold weather.

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What they’re saying

“Today, Lafayette Consolidated Government is opening up our warming shelter. That's for those that are unhoused or may have inadequate heat.”

— Christina Dayries, Chief of Staff

“We do expect it to be cold again Sunday afternoon, overnight into Monday morning. So we open back up at 6 p.m. Sunday and close the shelter at 9 a.m. on Monday.”

— Christina Dayries, Chief of Staff

“We've actually seen about 111 unique individuals come to the shelter over this last week or so. And we're roughly running around 81 a night.”

— Christina Dayries, Chief of Staff

“We've got all the meals they need. We have some hygiene kits, pillows and blankets for them, so they literally just need to show up. They'll be able to take a shower. They have a cot to sleep on with a pillow and a blanket.”

— Christina Dayries, Chief of Staff

What’s next

LCG urges anyone who needs a warm place to stay (or anyone concerned about a friend, neighbor or loved one) to take advantage of the shelter as temperatures drop.

The takeaway

The opening of this warming shelter in Lafayette demonstrates the city's commitment to providing critical support and resources to vulnerable members of the community during extreme weather events. By offering a safe, warm place to stay, meals, and other essential services, Lafayette Consolidated Government is helping to ensure the well-being of its residents in need.