COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus city leaders and community partners have launched an interactive map for warming centers and homeless shelters.
On the map, places listed with a purple mark are open 24 hours.
The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless will operate sites at Broad Street United Methodist Church and Summit on 16th United Methodist Church through February.
It's part of a plan announced Monday by the city of Columbus and its partners that will work in addition to the community shelter board's annual winter overflow plan.
According to the Community Shelter Board, on any given night there are more than 1,200 people sleeping in Columbus homeless shelters. More than 7,000 people slept in homeless centers last year and more than 1,500 were children.
There will be outreach efforts conducted at these sites, to help people connect with the resources they need to get back on their feet.
A local resident named, Harold, spoke about the importance of these warming centers.
“They come and actually meet your need,” said Harold. “And it really blows my mind because it's somebody who really cares. You don't get people who really really really care. But this place really really cares they feed you they give you a shower, things that you need."