November 15 – Mayor Byron W. Brown and The Western New York Coalition for the Homeless’ Code Blue Collaborative (CBC) today announced the start of this year’s “Code Blue” and “Code Blue 32” initiatives. Special recognition was also given to Rich Product’s for donating funds to purchase a new van for Code Blue Collaborative initiatives.
Mayor Brown stated, “I thank all of our partners, including Rich Products, for responding to my call last year and stepping forward to further strengthen our Code Blue Collaborative. As we give thanks this holiday season, it’s important for all of us to continue to help out one another and show compassion.”
“Code Blue” is the City of Buffalo’s emergency weather safety plan that provides outreach, engagement, case management, transportation, shelter and a warm meal to Buffalo’s homeless population on evenings when temperatures and wind chill fall to 15 degrees or below from November 15 to March 15. This year’s Code Blue Shelters are located at: The Matt Urban Hope Center- 385 Paderewski Drive, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy- 325 Walden Avenue and Harbor House- 241 Genesee Street.
“Code Blue 32” is an expansion of our Code Blue initiative in response to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s executive order, “…to protect homeless individuals from inclement winter weather where temperatures decline to 32 degrees or below”. It will be called on nights when temperatures or wind chills are between 16 to 32 degrees and will include services at our Matt Urban Hope Center and Harbor House shelters (St. Luke’s will be closed these nights) as well as a daytime warming center located at Harbor House.
Last year Code Blue served over 600 individuals and has reduced the death rate among Buffalo’s homeless population significantly since its inception in 2009. Code Blue is funded by Mayor Byron W. Brown and the City of Buffalo and National Fuel, and is also supported by a collaboration of agencies under the WNYCFTH. It is open to anyone living on the streets and/or needing shelter during extremely low temperatures.
The Western New York Coalition for the Homeless (WNYCFTH) is an association of service providers and concerned individuals who have joined together to empower and advocate for people in need of safe, affordable, and permanent housing and related services. For more information, please visit us as www.wnycoalitionforthehomeless.org