WNY Coalition for the Homeless announces Code Blue 2024-25 season

Submitted by the Press Secretary to the Erie County Executive

The Western New York Coalition for the Homeless’ Code Blue collaborative has announced the start of this year’s Code Blue initiative, and introduced its new lead agency: Sylvia’s House Inc. (https://sylviashouse.org/).

Code Blue is the emergency weather safety plan for the City of Buffalo and Erie County that provides outreach, transportation, shelter, and a warm meal to any individual experiencing homelessness or a housing emergency on evenings when temperatures or wind chill falls to 32 degrees or below. The goal of Code Blue is to eliminate winter-weather-related deaths in Buffalo and Erie County.

This year's Code Blue overnight shelter is located at:

•Restoration Society Inc. (RSI), 586 Genesee St., Buffalo

The Code Blue collaborative is also pursuing a second location.

Code Blue will also include a daytime warming center (8 a.m.-8 p.m.) at RSI, when daytime temperatures or wind chills fall below 32 degrees.

Calling a Code Blue is determined daily and communicated by 211. Call 211 to find out if Code Blue is in effect or text CodeBlueBuffalo to 716-898-211 to sign up for alerts.

Last season, Code Blue served 901 individuals who would otherwise have had no place to go. It also served as a refuge for many seeking shelter during the Buffalo blizzard.

Code Blue is funded by Erie County, the City of Buffalo, National Fuel, M&T Bank, and Evans Devereux Memorial Fund.

Partners

Code Blue collaborative includes Sylvia’s House Inc., Erie County, City of Buffalo, 211 WNY, Hearts for the Homeless, St. Lukes Mission of Mercy, Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services, Restoration Society Inc., Salvation Army, Niagara Frontier Transit Authority, BestSelf Behavioral Health and the Homeless Alliance of WNY.

Donations

The Code Blue collaborative welcomes and relies on donations including food, coffee supplies toiletries, cleaning/laundry products, waterproof gloves, cold weather clothing and footwear. Cash donations are always appreciated!