NYC Expands Efforts to Keep Residents Safe During Dangerous Cold

New warming centers, shelters, and outreach workers deployed as city braces for season's coldest night

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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New York City officials are expanding efforts to ensure all residents stay safe during Saturday night's dangerously cold conditions, including opening additional warming centers, increasing the number of warming buses, and deploying more outreach workers to connect the homeless with shelter and services.

Why it matters

With temperatures expected to plummet, the city is taking proactive steps to protect vulnerable populations, like the homeless, from the life-threatening effects of extreme cold weather. Providing access to warm spaces and outreach is critical to preventing cold-related injuries and deaths.

The details

In addition to the 10 school-based warming centers announced on Friday, the city is now opening two more - one in Far Rockaway and one in Washington Heights. The number of warming buses will also increase from 27 to 33 by Saturday night. Mayor Zohran Mamdani also announced the addition of at least 150 more outreach workers to get New Yorkers into newly added safe haven beds, the expedited opening of 64 new hotel shelter units in Queens, and a cut in the 311 wait time by half to get help for housing insecure residents.

  • Saturday night is expected to be the coldest of the season so far.
  • On Friday, the city announced the initial 10 school-based warming centers.
  • On Saturday afternoon, the city announced the expansion to 12 warming centers and increased warming bus capacity.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who announced the expanded efforts to keep residents safe during the dangerous cold.

Peter Brasco

A Manhattan resident who said the warming buses are helpful for people struggling with housing.

TT

A volunteer at Saint Clement's Episcopal Church in Midtown who is reminding New Yorkers that help is available.

Joan Ochei

A New Yorker who braved the cold to pick up warm food from the church.

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What they’re saying

“The warming buses is good for people that need help in life, that's struggling, that's trying to get their housing right now.”

— Peter Brasco (CBS News)

“We're here to help you, anytime, whatever you need. We're here to help you. We can do what we can.”

— TT, Volunteer (CBS News)

“Freezing, it's freezing. But we have to make the best of it. For people like us, this is like a relief, great relief for us.”

— Joan Ochei (CBS News)

What’s next

The city will continue to monitor the situation and make additional resources available if needed as the cold weather persists.

The takeaway

New York City is taking proactive steps to protect vulnerable residents from the dangers of extreme cold, demonstrating the city's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all its citizens during hazardous weather conditions.